Abstract
The concept of shared motor representations between action execution and various covert conditions has been demonstrated through a number of psychophysiological modalities over the past two decades. Rarely, however, have researchers considered the congruence of physical, imaginary and observed movement markers in a single paradigm and never in a design where eye movement metrics are the markers. In this study, participants were required to perform a forward reach and point Fitts’ Task on a digitizing tablet whilst wearing an eye movement system. Gaze metrics were used to compare behaviour congruence between action execution, action observation, and guided and unguided movement imagery conditions. The data showed that participants attended the same task-related visual cues between conditions but the strategy was different. Specifically, the number of fixations was significantly different between action execution and all covert conditions. In addition, fixation duration was congruent between action execution and action observation only, and both conditions displayed an indirect Fitts’ Law effect. We therefore extend the understanding of the common motor representation by demonstrating, for the first time, common spatial eye movement metrics across simulation conditions and some specific temporal congruence for action execution and action observation. Our findings suggest that action observation may be an effective technique in supporting motor processes. The use of video as an adjunct to physical techniques may be beneficial in supporting motor planning in both performance and clinical rehabilitation environments.
Highlights
Movement imagery (MI), the covert rehearsal of human movement, has been proposed to improve motor performance and motor learning in a number of areas, for example, sport [1,2] and, more recently, rehabilitation [3]
Our hypotheses were partially supported; (1) MT was not strictly congruent between action execution (AE), GMI and unguided MI (UGMI) conditions, but was influenced by target size across all conditions; (2) the number of target fixations was significantly different between AE and all covert conditions but all conditions were influenced by target size; (3) total target fixation duration remained congruent in AE and action observation (AO) and both conditions displayed an indirect Fitts’ Law effect
Other temporal fixation markers, are reported to demonstrate no effect of task complexity in cyclic aiming tasks [18]. These findings suggest that the sub-components of aiming tasks are processed differently in GMI and UGMI compared to AE and AO
Summary
Movement imagery (MI), the covert rehearsal of human movement, has been proposed to improve motor performance and motor learning in a number of areas, for example, sport [1,2] and, more recently, rehabilitation [3]. Since there is good evidence for movement optimization via one or more of these three action-related conditions (AE, AO and MI), it is intuitively appealing to propose that both MI and AO may be accessing the same neural substrate as AE and sharing similar mechanisms for motor behaviour In support for this claim, a growing body of evidence suggests that all conditions, AE, AO [7] and MI [8], are constrained by one of the fundamental laws governing human movement, Fitts’ Law. the law states that the time needed to move as quickly as possible between two targets is determined by the width of the targets and the distance separating them [9]. Data from brain imaging studies have revealed interdependence between these actionrelated cognitive skills linked closely to their neural anatomicalequivalence [9,10,11] This neural ‘sharedness’ was identified as an important marker within Jeannerod’s simulation hypothesis [12]. A common motor representation suggests that the covert elements of action related tasks, intention, programming, and preparation, might be primed and modulated through any of the three simulation conditions, albeit to different extents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
