Simultaneous and Alternate Action Observation and Motor Imagery Combinations Improve Aiming Performance

Romano-Smith, Stephanie and Wood, Greg and Wright, David and Wakefield, Caroline (2018) Simultaneous and Alternate Action Observation and Motor Imagery Combinations Improve Aiming Performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38. pp. 100-106. ISSN 1469-0292 (Accepted for Publication)

Text PSE Blind.docx - Accepted Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

Motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) are techniques that have been shown to enhance motor skill learning. While both techniques have been used independently, recent research has demonstrated that combining action observation and motor imagery (AOMI) promotes better outcomes. However, little is known about the most effective way to combine these techniques. This study examined the effects of simultaneous (i.e., observing an action whilst imagining carrying out the action concurrently) and alternate (i.e., observing an action and then doing imagery related to that action consecutively) AOMI combinations on the learning of a dart throwing task. Participants (n=50) were randomly allocated to one of five training groups: action observation (AO), motor imagery (MI), simultaneous action observation and motor imagery (S-AOMI), alternate action observation and motor imagery (A-AOMI) and a control group. Interventions were conducted three times per week for six weeks and pre- and post-measures of total score were collected. Results revealed that all intervention groups, with the exception of the AO and control groups, significantly improved performance following the intervention. Posthoc analyses showed that S-AOMI group improved to a significantly greater degree than the MI and AO groups, and participants in the A-AOMI group improved to a significantly greater degree than the AO group. Participants in the A-AOMI group did not improve to a significantly greater degree than the S-AOMI group (p =1.00). These findings suggest that combining AOMI, regardless of how it’s combined, may be the beneficial method for improving the learning and performance of aiming skills.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	“NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. The final version is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1469029217304818
Keywords:	skill learning; imagery; aiming; action observation
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Health and Sport Sciences
Depositing User:	Caroline Wakefield
Date Deposited:	14 Jun 2018 08:36
Last Modified:	02 Mar 2021 11:50
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/2543

Actions (login required)

View Item