External Imagery Research Articles

The Effect of Internal and external imagery on learning badminton long serve skill: The role of visual and audiovisual imagery

This study aimed to examine the impact of internal and external audiovisual imagery on the learning of the badminton long serve skill. A lot of 42 right-handed novice women were selected using availability sampling. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their scores from the visual imagery ability questionnaire and Bucknell auditory questionnaire: Visual-Internal imagery, Visual-External imagery, AudioVisual-Internal imagery and AudioVisual-External imagery groups. To generate an auditory pattern, the shoulder joint’s angular velocity of a skilled individual was recorded and translated into sound based on frequency characteristic changes. Subjects underwent four sessions of 40 trials each and subsequently participated in retention and transfer tests. Performance accuracy of the badminton long serve was assessed using the Scott and Fox standard test and repeated measures ANOVA was employed to compare performance across groups during test stages. While no significant differences were noted between groups during the acquisition stages, indicated that subjects in the AudioVisual imagery conditions outperformed those in Visual imagery during the retention test. Additionally, the AudioVisual-Internal Imagery group demonstrated superior performance compared to other groups. Internal imagery groups also exhibited better performance in the later stages of acquisition, retention and transfer tests compared to external imagery groups. These findings suggest that the incorporation of audiovisual imagery utilizing movement sonification, alongside physical practice, improves skill development more effectively than visual imagery alone.

Stylistic/Textual Analysis of Narrative Techniques in Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s a Grain of Wheat

In A Grain of Wheat, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o demonstrates his mastery of language for both narration and description. In the plot, while telling the story, he provides a vivid description of the social and natural settings in which the action is taking place. He adopts the use of omniscient narrator technique as an objective technique that makes it possible to probe the innermost depths of the characters and determine their psychological and emotional states, especially in the protest against the whiteman’s domination of the land. Occasionally, he attempts to illustrate the ongoing action with a corresponding visual symbolism or external imagery starting from the title of the novel – A Grain of Wheat and the character – Kihika respectively. This paper examines stylistic/textual analysis of narrative techniques of Ngugi’s style of narrative in A Grain of Wheat. The purpose of this study is to analyse the colonial influences on the Kenyan environment using the post-colonial theory and employing the qualitative method to gather data as regards the use of narrative techniques in the novel. The findings are that the source of environmental degradation and marginalisation of the natives in the novel warranted the use of narrative techniques, especially symbolism and visual imagery as indicated and perfected by the author in A Grain of Wheat. His use of flashback techniques is to give the reader insight into the life and activities in Kenya. Therefore, this paper recommends the use of narrative techniques by authors as part of the thematic expressions of their works.

The Effect Of Imagery Training On The Accuracy Of Free Throws In Basketball Players In Terms Of Concentration

This study aims to determine: (1) the difference in the influence between internal imagery and external imagery exercises on the accuracy of free throws; (2) the difference in the influence of players who have high and low concentrations on the accuracy of free throws; and (3) the interaction between internal imagery and external imagery exercises and the concentration on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players. This type of research is an experiment using a 2 x 2 factorial design. The population in this study was 38 basketball SME players from Universitas Islam Indonesia. The sample in this study was 20 people who were taken using purposive sampling techniques, then ordinal pairing was carried out to divide each group. The instrument used is to measure concentration, namely the Grid Concentration Test, while the accuracy of free throw uses a free throw test. The data analysis technique used is a two-way ANOVA. The results showed that: (1) There was a significant difference in influence between internal imagery and external imagery exercises on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players, with an F value of 51.984 and a significance value of p 0.000 < 0.05. The internal imagery exercise group was higher (good) compared to the external imagery exercise group with a posttest average difference of 4.00. (2) There is a significant difference in influence between players who have high and low concentrations on the accuracy of a basketball player's free throw, proven by an F value of 38.416 and a p-significance value of 0.000 < 0.05. Players who have a high concentration are higher (good) compared to players who have a low concentration, with a posttest average difference of 4.00. (3) There is a significant interaction between imagery exercises (internal imagery and external imagery) and concentration (high and low) on the accuracy of a basketball player's free throw, with an F value of 4.264 and a significance value of p 0.047 < 0.05. There is a significant difference in the influence between internal imagery training methods and external imagery training methods on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players. The internal imagery training method is better than the external imagery exercise on the accuracy of free throws on basketball players. There is a significant difference in the effect of high concentration and low concentration on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players. Players who have high concentration are better than those with a low concentration on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players. There is a significant interaction between both methods of exercise imagery (internal imagery and external imagery) and concentration (high and low) on the accuracy of free throws in basketball players. Keywords: Internal Imagery, External Imagery, Concentration, Accuracy Free throw, Basketball.

The influence of internal and external visual imagery on self-confidence in learning gymnastics

Students must have high self-confidence in learning physical education, because self-confidence affects individual success in performing motor skills. The purpose of this study was to reveal differences in the influence of internal and external visual imagery on students' self-confidence in learning gymnastics with cartwheels material. This research is a multiple linear regression experimental research. The number of samples in this study were 68 students. Actions are carried out by integrating internal and external visual imagery exercises in gymnastic learning. The data collection technique uses a self-confidence scale as an instrument. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that internal and external visual imagery had a significant effect on students' self-confidence (tcount ttable, sig. 0.05), but there was a significant difference between internal and external visual imagery training (tcount ttable, sig. 0.27 0.05) so that the internal visual imagery training method is better than the external imagery method (mean 71.2941 67.8824). The results of this study indicate that students' self-confidence in performing wheel motion skills can be increased through internal and external visual imagery exercises that are integrated into the learning process, but internal visual imagery training methods are preferred.

Pengaruh Latihan Imagery dan Konsentrasi Terhadap Ketepatan Forehand Service Pada Pembinaan Prestasi Tenis Meja Universitas Tunas Pembangunan

This study aims to determine (1) The difference in the effect between internal imagery training method and external imagery training method on forehand service accuracy in Sukoharjo table tennis athletes. (2). The difference in the effect of high concentration and low concentration on the accuracy of forehand service in Sukoharjo table tennis athletes. (3). The interaction between the two imagery training methods and the concentration on the accuracy of forehand service in coaching table tennis achievements at Universitas Tunas TPembangunan University.The population in this study is all table tennis achievement coaching students of Universitas Tunas Pembangunan Surakarta. The sample used uses Total Sampling technique with the number of ... 24... student. This research is an experimental method using a 2x2 factorial design design, therefore this method is validation, which is testing the influence of one or more variables on other variables. . Data collection is carried out by test and measurement techniques, namely forehand service accuracy tests. Data analysis was carried out with a double comparison technique with a signification level of 0.05.The results of this study are (1) There is no significant difference in influence based on the results of the analysis, significant value p 0.049 (rounded significance value 0.05). Since the significance value of p is0.05 < 0.05, Ho is accepted. Thus, there was no significant difference in influence between the higher internal imagery training method (good) with a posttest average value of 23,583 compared to the external imagery training method with a posttest average value of 22,417. Thus, it was concluded that the hypothesis was rejected. (2) There is a significant difference in influence based on the results of the analysis, the significance value of p is 0.000. Since the significance value of p is 0.000< 0.05, Ho is rejected. Thus there is a significant difference in influence between athletes who have high concentration and low concentration. Based on the results of the analysis, there were students who had a higher high concentration (good) with a posttest average score of 24,917 compared to athletes who had low concentration with a posttest average score of 21,083. Thus, it was concluded that the hypothesis was accepted. (3) There is a significant interaction of both imagery training methods (internal imagery and external imagery) and concentration (high and low) on the accuracy of forehand service in Sukoharjo table tennis athletes. This can be seen from the significance value of p of 0.026. Therefore the significance value of p is 0.026 < 0.05, meaning Ho is rejected.

The Influence of Imagery Training and Self-Confidence on Futsal Shooting Results in Extracurricular Students at SMA Negeri in Bengkulu City

The purpose of this study was to determine: (I) the difference in the effect of internal imagery and external imagery on shooting results, (2) the difference in the effect of high self-confidence and low self-confidence on shooting results, and (3) the interaction between imagery training and self-confidence on shooting results. This study uses a 2x2 factorial design experimental method. The population of the study was the participants in the futsal extracurricular activities at State Senior High Schools in Bengkulu City. The sample of this research was determined by random sampling technique which amounted to three schools namely SMAN 7 Bengkulu, SMAN 10 Bengkulu, SMAN 11 Bengkulu with a total of 42 students. The instrument measures the level of self-confidence using a self-confidence questionnaire and measures the results of the penalty kick shooting accuracy test using the Brace shooting penalty kick test. Data analysis used two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significant level of a = 0.05. The results of the study are as follows: (1) There is a significant difference in effect between internal imagery training and external imagery training on futsal shooting results, (2) There is a difference in effect between high self-confidence and low self-confidence on futsal shooting results, (3) There is an interaction between imagery training and self-confidence from futsal shooting results.

Interactive effects of dispositional mindfulness and PETTLEP imagery training on basketball shooting performance: A randomized controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive effects of dispositional mindfulness and visualized PETTLEP imagery training on basketball mid-range shooting performance and retention. Seventy-three participants (M age = 20.32 ± 1.09) with high/low dispositional mindfulness (high n = 35; low n = 38) selected out of 302 college students were randomly assigned into the following six groups: (a) high mindfulness internal imagery (H-II, n = 13); (b) high mindfulness external imagery (H-EI, n = 11); (c) high mindfulness control (H–CO, n = 11); (d) low mindfulness internal imagery (L-II, n = 13); (e) low mindfulness external imagery (L-EI, n = 12); and (f) low mindfulness control (L-CO, n = 13). Participants engaged in a pretest to measure their basketball shooting performance, then participated in a 6-week (3 times/per-week) intervention, plus a posttest and retention test. A three-way 2 (high/low mindfulness) X 3 (treatments: internal-, external imagery, and control) X 3 (measurement time: pretest, posttest, and retention) mixed ANOVA statistical analysis found dispositional mindfulness interacted with treatments and measurement time. The main effects showed high dispositional mindfulness performed better than low dispositional mindfulness, and internal imagery training performed better than external imagery training on mid-range basketball performance at retention. The 3–way interaction indicated that when using either internal or external imagery, high dispositional mindfulness performed better than low mindfulness on retention but not posttest. For 2-way interaction, high dispositional mindfulness performed better than low dispositional mindfulness on retention but not posttest. Our results extended current knowledge on sport imagery and dispositional mindfulness and gained several theoretical implications for researchers. The limitations, future research directions, and practical implications were also discussed.

Imagery perspective in copying movement

Imagery is a cognitive process widely used for learning and performance of motor skills (Morris et al., 2005). In this study, we investigated Internal (IP) and External Imagery Perspectives (EP) and actual copying of movement to deepen understanding of the character of imagery perspectives. Research on IP and EP shows that the superiority of one perspective in terms of performance enhancement is still equivocal. Further research is required to understand the character of IP and EP, and to establish how they affect learning and performance of motor skills. We applied a Stimulus-Response (S-R) compatibility protocol to a finger-movement, choice-reaction time (CRT) task to differentiate response latencies for actual copying of the movement, and IP and EP of the movement, after watching internal and external stimulus videos of the CRT button-pressing task. We used paired t-tests to analyse the differences in decision time and movement time for external and internal stimulus videos, in the physical copying of the movement condition. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in response times for movement, IP, and EP imagery conditions for internal and external video stimuli. Results showed that the response times in both imagery perspective conditions were significantly slower than response times in the physical movement condition. It was further revealed that response times were faster for the internal view than the external view for the movement and IP conditions, whereas EP latencies were faster for external than internal video stimuli. We concluded that the S-R compatibility protocol can be used to confirm use of IP and EP, which is questionable in studies where participants are simply instructed to use IP or EP, and it is assumed they follow instructions, or even when they are asked to confirm use of IP or EP at the end of studies.

The Effect of Imagery Training and Concentration on Forehand Serve Accuracy of the Junior Table Tennis Athletes

This research aims to uncover: 1) the difference in the effect of internal imagery and external imagery on the forehand serve accuracy of the PTM Dwi Bengawan Solo players, 2) the difference in the effect of high concentration and low concentration on the forehand serve accuracy of Junior Table Tennis Athletes in Sukoahrjo, and 3) the interaction between training methods and concentration on the forehand serve accuracy of the Junior Table Tennis Athletes in Sukoharjo. This is an experimental research. The research samples were determined by using total sampling technique, while the total samples and population were 24 junior athletes in PTM Dwi Bengawan Solo. The data were collected using: 1) concentration test of PTM Dwi Bengawan Solo players and 2) forehand serve pretest. The research instrument included 2 tests, namely the forehand serve accuracy test with validity (0.809) and reliability (0.988). The concentration test with validity (0.89) and reliability (0.803). The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results showed that: 1) There was a significant difference between internal imagery and external imagery training (p = 0.000 <0.05), so the internal imagery training method was better than external imagery. 2) There was a difference between players who had high concentration and low concentration (p = 0.000 < 0.05), so players who had high concentration were better than those who had low concentration. 3) There was an interaction between internal imagery and external imagery as well as high and low concentrations (p = 0.047 <0.05). Players who had high concentration would perform better if trained with internal imagery, while players who had low concentration would be better if trained with external imagery.

Effects of visualized PETTLEP imagery on the basketball 3-point shot: A comparison of internal and external perspectives

By adopting Holmes and Collins’(2001) PETTLEP imagery approach, we used participants’ individual videos of successful basketball shooting to examine the effects of internal and external imagery on basketball players’ 3-point shot. We sampled 49 intermediate level college basketball players (males = 26, Mage = 21; females = 23, Mage = 20) and assigned them into internal imagery (n = 15), external imagery (n = 14) and control groups (n = 20). Using a quasi-experimental design, experimental groups participated in an 8-week visualized PETTLEP imagery training plus physical training, but the control group only participated in physical training. The two-way ANOVA mixed design statistical analyses found the two visualized PETTLEP groups not only performed better than pretest, but also performed better than the control group after training. However, there was no difference between internal imagery and external imagery on basketball 3-point shot performance. We concluded that the characteristics of the motor task and participants’ skill level may influence the efficacy of the imagery perspective on performance. Theoretical implications, limitations, future research directions, and applications are discussed.

French translation and validation of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-third version (MIQ-3f)

Objectives: Imagery ability is a variable influencing the effectiveness of imagery practice that can be estimated by means of questionnaires. Among them, the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised, translated and validated in French, is widely used by French speakers. However, it does not allow for the distinction between the two visual imagery perspectives (internal vs. external). The Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 has been recently proposed in the English literature to differentiate between the ease of performing internal visual, external visual and kinesthetic imagery. The aim of this study was to translate and validate a French version of this questionnaire (MIQ-3f). Method: We examined the validity of constructs, internal consistency, and test-retest inter-rate reliability of the visual and kinesthetic items of the MIQ-3f in 272 healthy participants (Mage = 20.26 years, SD = 1.73). Results: The internal consistency (composite reliability scores ≥ 0.88 for the three subscales) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.87 for visual internal imagery, 0.86 for visual external imagery, and 0.88 for kinesthetic imagery) of the MIQ-3f were satisfactory. The three-factor structure (with 4 items for each factor) was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The MIQ-3f appears to be a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to assess imagery ability in French speakers.

Effect of imagery on freethrow shooting in basketball extraculicular

The purpose of this study was to find out differences in influence between internal imagery training and external training imagery on the results of free-throw shooting in extracurricular bola basketball, It used an experimental method. The sample was selected by random sampling technique which comprised three schools, SMPN 1 Bantul, SMPN 3 Bantul, SMPN 3 Jetis with a total of 42 bola basketball extracurricular students. An instrument measured the shooting free throw test to measure the free throw from Arianto B. The data were then analyzed using a two-track analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significant level of α = 0.05. The results show that there is a significant difference between internal and external imagery training on the results of free-throw extracurricular bola basketball, which is evident from the value sig = 0.010 <0.05. External exercises imagery provides a better influence on the results of free shooting extracurricular bola basketball

Imagery Ability and Imagery Perspective Preference: A Study of Their Relationship and Age- and Gender-Related Changes.

This study examined if imagery ability (i.e., vividness and temporal congruence between imagined and executed knee extensions) and imagery perspective preference were affected by ageing and gender. Ninety-four participants, 31 young, 43 intermediate, and 20 older adults completed the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 and a knee extension temporal congruence test to reflect on their imagery ability and an imagery perspective preference test. Male participants had a better imagery ability than the female participants (F (4, 85) = 2.84, p = .029, η2 = .118). However, significant age-related changes in imagery ability were not found in the three age groups. Change in imagery perspective preference with a trend towards an external imagery perspective was observed with ageing (F (3, 89) = 3.16, p = .028, η2 = .096) but not between male and female. The results suggest that imagery ability may be preserved with ageing. As individuals age, their preference for using an imagery perspective shifts from a more internal to a more external perspective. This understanding is important when designing future imagery research and real-life application or clinical intervention.

Validation of the Slovenian Version of Motor Imagery Questionnaire 3 (MIQ-3): Promising Tool in Modern Comprehensive Rehabilitation Practice.

PurposeThe high rate of injury incidence and its severity is estimated to cause approximately 9% of global mortality, while a large proportion of people surviving their injuries experience temporary or permanent disabilities. To reduce the occurrence of disability and improve general health of survivors, a more comprehensive rehabilitation approach is needed. Motor imagery is recognized as the promising cognitive strategy to counteract impaired functional capacity of the neuromuscular system. Thus, we aimed to provide to the Slovenian-speaking community a valid and reliable version of Motor Imagery Questionnaire – 3 [MIQ-3], that consists of kinaesthetic imagery [KI] and visual [i.e., Internal Imagery [IMI] and external imagery [EVI]] items.MethodsWe investigated both absolute and relative test-retest repeatability; construct validity and internal consistency of the KI, IMI and EMI items of the Slovenian version of MIQ-3 in 86 healthy adult subjects.ResultsResults showed high to very high average intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] for the visual items [ICC=0.89] and KI items [ICC=0.92], whilst the measure of absolute variability presented as coefficient of variation [CV%] ranged from 4.9% [EVI] to 6.7% [KI]. The internal consistency was satisfactory [Cronbach α=0.91 [KI] and 0.89]) for both visual items. Confirmatory analysis confirmed a two-factorial structure of MIQ-3.ConclusionUnderstanding the content of the questionnaire is of utmost importance to ensure its effectiveness in rehabilitation practice. The Slovenian translation of the MIQ-3 is culturally and linguistically equivalent to the original English version.

Internal and External Imagery Effects on Tennis Skills Among Novices.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of internal and external visual imagery perspectives on performance accuracy of open and closed tennis skills (i.e., serve, forehand, and backhand) among novices. Thirty-six young male novices, aged 15-18 years, from a summer tennis program participated. Following initial skill acquisition (12 sessions), baseline assessments of imagery ability and imagery perspective preference were used to assign participants to one of three groups: internal imagery ( n = 12), external imagery ( n = 12), or a no-imagery (mental math exercise) control group ( n = 12). The experimental interventions of 15 minutes of mental imagery (internal or external) or mental math exercises followed by 15 minutes of physical practice were held three times a week for six weeks. The performance accuracy of the groups on the serve, forehand, and backhand strokes was measured at pre- and post-test using videotaping. Results showed significant increases in the performance accuracy of all three tennis strokes in all three groups, but serve accuracy in the internal imagery group and forehand accuracy in the external imagery group showed greater improvements, while backhand accuracy was similarly improved in all three groups. These findings highlight differential efficacy of internal and external visual imagery for performance improvement on complex sport skills in early stage motor learning.

Reliability and validity of the Polish version of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3)

<b>Background</b><br /> Imagery is often beneficial not only in gaining a psychological advantage when competing but also in building self-esteem and self-confidence. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Polish adaptation of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3), consisting of 12 questions measuring 3 dimensions: visual internal imagery, visual external imagery and kinesthetic imagery.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> A sample of athletes (N = 276 – 102 women, 174 men (M = 21.25, SD = 6.35)) of various disciplines (football, volleyball, karate, swimming, etc.) with different sport experience (from recreation to the national team) filled in the MIQ-3 questionnaire in the Polish language.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> The results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood confirmed that the established three-factor model reflects well the relationships observed in the respondents’ answers (satisfactory value of RMSEA below the recommended value of .05 (RMSEA = .04) and a high value of the index above .90 CFI (CFI = .93)). Reliability indicators (composite reliability – CR) observed for individual factors indicated a very high internal consistency (external visual imagery = .75, internal visual imagery = .79 and kinesthetic imagery = .82). The results indicated that good stability and internal consistency were maintained over a 3-week period. In addition, analyses were examined across age, level of experience and gender.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> The results of the present study support the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the MIQ-3.

Effects of sit-to-stand imagery group training on balance performance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke: a randomized control trial

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sit-to-stand (STS) imagery group training (IGT) on STS movement and balance performance for chronic hemiparetic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 people with chronic hemiparetic stroke (15 for STS-IGT group and 15 for control) were recruited in this study. The STS-IGT group participated in a videotape-based STS-IGT for 30 minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks, while the control group watched a documentary on television for the same period. The STS-IGT focused on a five-stage protocol. Specifically, external imagery was used during the four phases of the STS movement from the seat of the chair to standing up. All of the participants also participated in a regular rehabilitation program. STS movement and balance performance were assessed using three clinical measures. Results: After training, time to perform the 5-repetition STS test significantly increased in the STS-IGT group (change value, sec) compared with the control group (change value, sec) (p points) compared with the control group (change value, points) (p sec) compared with the control group (change value, sec) (p

Schubert’s Lieder and the Philosophy of Early German Romanticism by Lisa Feuerzeig

Reviewed by: Schubert’s Lieder and the Philosophy of Early German Romanticism by Lisa Feuerzeig Suzannah Clark Schubert’s Lieder and the Philosophy of Early German Romanticism. By Lisa Feuerzeig. Farnham, Surrey, UK and Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2014. [xvi, 198 pp. ISBN 978-1-4094-4788-7. $149.95 (cloth)] Schubert’s contemporaries cultivated the idea that Schubert was an intuitive composer with little intellectual acumen for handling large-scale instrumental forms and even less discrimination or care for the poetic quality of the texts he set to song—a legacy that has persisted to the present day, especially amongst Schubert lovers. Feurzeig’s study belongs to a growing body of critiques of this received view of Schubert, including studies by such scholars as Christopher Gibbs, Scott Messing, Susan Youens, and myself. Feurzeig thus presents a very different image of Schubert, arguing that he exhibited sustained engagement with the highly intellectual philosophical movement of the Frühromantik. Capable therefore of abstract thinking, Schubert returned frequently to the poems of two of the movement’s central proponents: Friedrich [End Page 319] Schlegel and Novalis, the latter being the pen name of Friedrich von Hardenberg. Feurzeig’s book deals with all of the Novalis settings taken from the poet’s Geistliche Lieder and Hymnen an die Nacht, all of the settings from Schlegel’s Abendröte, and two of five other Schlegel settings, “Im Walde” and “Blanka” (p. xiii). Far from setting poems haphazardly, Feurzeig demonstrates that Schubert made judicious choices in selecting eleven of the twenty-two poems that made up Schlegel’s poetic cycle Abendröte. While apparently eschewing some poems such as “Die Lüfte” (“The Breezes”), “Zwei Nachtigallen” (“Two Nightingales”), “Der Wasserfall” (“The Waterfall”), and “Der Sänger” (“The Singer”) that would have lent themselves to latent musical effects, Schubert’s choices reveal a willingness to tackle the art of setting poems about inanimate objects and silent phenomena. The book comprises six chapters. The first and third introduce readers to the important philosophical debates that consumed the young thinkers who ushered in German Romanticism in the 1790s. The first chapter, “The Berlin/Jena Romantics”, provides an overview of the ideas and chief figures involved in the Frühromantik, who were largely located in Berlin and Jena. The third chapter, “Early Romantic Hermeneutics”, explicates the early Romantic revival of Greek art and literature and interest in the Bible, focusing in particular on the profound influence of Schleiermacher, a theologian and translator into German of Plato’s dialogues. As Feurzeig herself readily admits, these chapters do not contain new discoveries or ideas but are historical and philosophical overviews (p. 1). They are, however, immensely valuable chapters. Novices to early Romantic philosophy and nineteenth-century hermeneutics will do well under Feurzeig’s tutelage: her summaries are highly readable and the concepts are lucidly explained. The seasoned philosopher and/or practitioner of hermeneutics will marvel at her ability to distil the essence of the complex and at times abtruse ideas of the early Romantics and to explicate how the foundational ideas of modern hermeneutics in the nineteenth century continue to shape our interpretative impulses. In between these two chapters, Feurzeig sets out her case for Schubert as abstract thinker using the song “Die Berge” (D. 634), which is drawn from Schlegel’s Abendröte (Chapter 2: “Case Study: ‘Die Berge’ and Schubert as Abstract Thinker”). Abendröte is a cycle in which each poem is told from the perspective of a different persona, always named in the title. While she could have chosen any of the songs by Schlegel to build her case, “Die Berge” (“The Mountains”) is a particularly pertinent example for overturning common wisdom about Schubert. As John Reed opined in The Schubert Song Companion (Mandolin: Manchester University Press, 1985; reprint 1997, 159) “Schubert is content to look at the external imagery rather than the contemplative centre. . . . The commentators are silent about Die Berge, and indeed it is a strangely unconvincing song.” The emphasis on the external imagery is precisely the philosophical point: Schlegel’s poem is a manifestation of the Kantian schema, which requires “a text that is governed by an abstract idea and that implies that idea without...

Internal–External Motor Imagery and Skilled Motor Actions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze the movement-related brain macropotentials (MRBMs) recorded during the execution of two tests of motor imagery: kinaesthetic (internal) and visual (external). Recordings were compared with those obtained performing a GO/NOGO motor test. The GO test required pressure of three keys of a modified keyboard in sequence when a figure appeared in the computer screen. On NOGO trials no button had to be pressed. Motor imagery tests were an internal or kinaesthetic imagination test (IN MI) on which participants imagined performing the pressure of keyboard buttons, avoiding any real movement, and an external or visual imagination test (EX MI) on which subjects were asked to imagine seeing their finger press the buttons. With the completion of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire, the participants were assigned into two groups: high (11) and low (10) capacity of imagination. The results showed an increase in the amplitude of the MRBMs wave occurring in the prestimulus period of imagination, with respect to real motor action. In the poststimulus period, the amplitude and duration of the waves recorded during motor action were higher than those recorded during the motor imagery tests. The comparison between EX and IN MI showed a lower latency and a higher amplitude of the brain waves recorded during internal motor imagery with respect to those observed during EX MI. The experimental data confirm that real motor activity is related to higher amplitude MRBMs than motor imagery. The profile of the waves recorded during internal imagery seems to be related to a higher brain involvement compared to those recorded during external visual imagery; it suggest that the kinaesthetic process of imagination is more efficient in information processing and motor skill acquisition.

Reprint of: Genetic parameters of in-vivo prediction of carcass, head and fillet yields by internal ultrasound and 2D external imagery in large rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Selection to improve processing yields relies on sib selection, in which live candidates are ranked according to their family breeding value. This approach limits genetic progress, as it only exploits genetic variability between families and not within them. Indirect criteria measured on live candidates could overcome this limitation. The present study (I) proposes a procedure to identify indirect criteria to predict processing yields in rainbow trout (head, carcass and fillet yields), (2) estimates genetic parameters of these indirect criteria, and (3) predicts relative genetic gains in processing yields using full-sib selection or indirect individual selection on those indirect criteria. DNA-pedigreed all-female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (n = 2029, 1631.0 +/- 355.6 g) from 600 families produced from 100 sires and 60 dams were characterized by external and internal non-lethal morphological measures using digital pictures and real time ultrasound tomography. Nineteen landmarks were recorded on the digital pictures to define the outline of the body, head and lateral line. Their coordinates were used to calculate different lengths, heights and areas. Five different internal thicknesses were measured by ultrasound tomography. In the first phase of this study, processing yields were predicted using multiple linear regressions including both external and internal morphometric variables. In a second phase, the heritability of the predicted values and their genetic correlations with real processing yields were estimated using animal models. Predicted yields exhibited intermediate heritabilities (0.25-0.28) that were half the value of heritabilities for real processing yields (0.47-0.55), but had high genetic correlations with these real yields (0.87-0.90). The relative efficiency of indirect selection (IS) on these indirect criteria was compared to theoretical mass selection (MS) or sib selection (FS) with different family sizes (10 or 100) and two different selection pressures (10% or 40%). At the same selection pressure (10%, with 100 sibs per family %), full-sib selection created genetic progress 49.6% to 60.5% higher than indirect selection according to the processing yield targeted. However, when sib-selection pressure was limited to a more realistic between family selection pressure (40% and 10 sibs per family), indirect selection with 10% selection pressure was 21.9% to 32.7% more efficient than sib selection.