Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Forschung

Human beings are able to imagine actions with the aim to change movement coordination and to learn particular movements. Despite a considerable body of research in neuroscience, psychology, and sport science, however, there is at present no consensus on the neurocognitive mechanisms of imagery, and the mechanisms that lead to learning via imagined action are still being debated. To address this gap, an online-workshop convened by Cornelia Frank (Bremen) was hosted by ZiF in November 2020. The workshop brought together experts in motor control and motor learning with experts in motor imagery research from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and sport science to explore current developments and their implications for understanding imagery practice. Now the results of the workshop and further research have been published in a special issue of Psychological Research. We asked Cornelia Frank about the main findings.

First of all: What is motor imagery?

One of the many intriguing abilities of humans is our capacity to envision actions, which can be characterized as a vicarious, multisensory experience of performing a motor action. Even more fascinating is our capacity to enhance performance and learn through the mere act of imagining those actions. Current meta-analyses indicate that when individuals actively engage in the imagery of a motor task, without actually performing the action, it can lead to improvements in motor performance and support motor learning.

However, despite a substantial amount of research in fields such as neuroscience, psychology, and sports science, there is still no consensus on the neurocognitive mechanisms involved in imagery and the processes that facilitate learning through imagined actions. Specifically, the distinctions between imagined actions and actual physical actions, as well as their respective impacts on learning, have yet to be fully explained.

The purpose of our workshop was to stimulate future research on imagery practice and to explore its mechanisms that connect recent theoretical developments in imagery research with advancements in the broader areas of motor control and learning.

Which role does interdisciplinary cooperation play in this research topic?

From our perspective, it is not feasible to explain the neurocognitive mechanisms of imagery and imagery practice through a single discipline alone. By examining imagery and imagery practice from various angles, such as human movement science, psychology, and neuroscience, and by integrating these perspectives, we can share and discuss diverse viewpoints, methodologies, ideas/theories, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Each discipline thus contributes a unique perspective that enhances our understanding of the phenomenon. The workshop served as an excellent starting point and platform to pursue this objective.

What are the major results of your research?Is it possible to do a sports workout on the sofa?

The primary focus of our research was not to evaluate the established effectiveness of imagery training or to determine whether it is feasible to perform a sports workout on the sofa. Instead, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying imagery.

The special issue of Psychological Research thus compiles theoretical advancements in motor control, motor learning, and imagery research to foster a more profound comprehension of these concepts and their interplay. It includes five position papers from leading experts, each accompanied by commentaries from specialists across various disciplines.

The collection reveals several key insights: (a) imagery can be conceptualized in diverse ways that vary significantly depending on the chosen perspective; (b) existing models of the neurocognitive mechanisms of imagery are based on distinct views of motor control and learning; (c) perspectives from broader fields of motor control and learning can inspire new explanatory approaches regarding imagery and its practice; and (d) further research is necessary to explore and compare different perspectives and conceptualizations of these neurocognitive mechanisms.

In conclusion, while our study does not directly address the practicality of conducting a workout on the sofa, it emphasizes the complexity of imagery and the need for a nuanced understanding of its mechanisms.

Find the special issue here: Frank, C., Guillot, A. & Vogt, S. Imagery and motor learning: a special issue on the neurocognitive mechanisms of imagery and imagery practice of motor actions. Psychological Research 88, 1785–1789 (2024).