THE ROLE OF MENTAL PRACTICE IN DECREASING FORGETTING AFTER PRACTICING A GYMNASTICS MOTOR SKILL

Abstract

Parallel to processes of memory consolidation, forgetting is a functional mechanism that allows the maintenance of relevant information or learning in memory. Practice condition can affect the forgetting rate, favouring or not memory consolidation. Physical practice has been shown to be effective in decreasing forgetting, but the role of mental practice is not known yet. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the role of mental practice in the forgetting rate of a motor skill. Twenty-four participants with the mean age of 26.13 years (± 3.04) of both genders were divided into three groups: (a) mental practice group (MG); physical practice group (PG) which practised the handstand skill either mentally or physically, respectively, and (c) control group (CG) that did not practice the skill. Results showed no difference between the forgetting rate of MG and PG. Also, they had forgetting rates lower than CG. Thus, it is suggested that mental practice is as effective as physical practice to decrease the forgetting rate of motor skills, favouring the maintenance of the movement representation in memory. Possibly, physical and mental practice conditions share mechanisms that slow down forgetting processes.