Changes in Muscular Activity while Imagining Weight Lifting Using Stimulus or Response Propositions

Abstract

Investigating emotional imagery, Lang (1977Lang ( , 1979 proposed a dichotomy between stimulus and response propositions. In this study, Lang's model is applied to movement images of lifting of 4.5 and 9 kg weights. Twenty-two male and 17 female students participated in the study. During the imaginary lifting of the weights, the electromyographical activity (EMG) of both biceps brachii muscles were assessed. Imagery ability was measured with the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ) and another self-report rating scale. When response propositions were emphasized in the script, imaginary weight lifting resulted in greater muscle activity than when stimulus propositions were emphasized. During imagined lifting, EMG activity of the active arm was greater than that of the passive arm. In addition, in the active arm, a significant difference in EMG activity was found between 9 kg and 4.5 kg. It was concluded that Lang's model is also applicable to emotionally neutral movement imagery.

Mental Practice With Motor Imagery: Evidence for Motor Recovery and Cortical Reorganization After Stroke

“…For example, in 1931, Jacobsen 10 showed that activations occur in the biceps brachii when volunteers were asked to visualize bending their right arms. More recent studies by Hale, 11 Bakker et al, 12 and Livesay and Samaras 13 have replicated the finding using electromyography. They observed minute activations in the targeted musculature as if the activity were being physically performed.…”

Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy Combined With Mental Practice

“…A research team member screened volunteers using the following study criteria derived from previous mCIT research: (1) history of no more than one stroke; (2) ability to actively extend at least 10°at the metacarpophalangeal joints of each digit and actively extend 20°at the wrist; (3) stroke experienced Ͼ12 months before study enrollment; (4) a score Ն69 on the Modified Mini Mental Status Examination 27 ; (5) age Ͼ18 and Ͻ80 years; and (6) affected arm nonuse, defined as a score Ͻ2.5 on the amount of use scale of the Motor Activity Log. We also applied the following exclusion criteria: (1) excessive spasticity at any affected arm joint, defined as a score of Ն3 on the Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale 28 ; (2) excessive pain anywhere in the affected upper limb, as measured by a score of Ն4 on a 10-point visual analog scale; (3) still enrolled in any form of physical rehabilitation; and (4) participating in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies.…”

“…The same muscular [1][2][3] and neural structures 4,5 subserve both physical and mental practice, enabling MP to offer similar benefits to physical practice of a particular skill. For example, MP can be used as a method of acquiring additional practice attempts in rehabilitative settings, 6 -8 especially when physical practice may be unsafe (eg, balance activities).…”

Retroactive interference effects of mentally imagined movement speed

“…Response propositions are of particular importance because they are double-coded; beyond the associational or propositional networks, the deep structure of such propositions is linked to the motor command system that generates eþ erent output. Because of this link between response propositions and motor programmes, imagery normally involves eþ erent leakage, which might be assessed by EMG recordings (see Bakker et al, 1996). Meaning propositions are associative properties that elaborate upon the signi® cance of stimulus and response information.…”

“…Here, we examine possible interfering eþ ects of imagined movement speeds on subsequent movement performance and provide an explanation based on Lang' s (1977Lang' s ( , 1979Lang' s ( , 1984Lang' s ( , 1987 bio-informational theory of emotional imagery. Bio-informational theory oþ ers an elaborate explanation of the processes involved in imagery (see Hecker and Kaczor, 1988;Bakker et al, 1996) and appears to be particularly suitable for explaining interference eþ ects on motor actions. Even though Lang' s theory does not speci® cally address the topic of interference of motor imagery, the theory does permit predictions about it.…”