Motor imagery: lessons learned in movement science might be applicable for spaceflight

Bock, Otmar; Schott, Nadja; Papaxanthis, Charalambos

doi:10.3389/fnsys.2015.00075

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…90 MI is a process during which a specific and pre-decided action is internally reproduced in working memory, from a first-person perspective, without any overt motor output. 91 It typically includes multiple sensory modalities, e.g., mentally visualizing a specific motor task and mentally feeling muscle contractions.…”

Section: Implications For Countermeasures and Neuroimaging In Spaceflmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

et al. 2017

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Space travel poses an enormous challenge on the human body; microgravity, ionizing radiation, absence of circadian rhythm, confinement and isolation are just some of the features associated with it. Obviously, all of the latter can have an impact on human physiology and even induce detrimental changes. Some organ systems have been studied thoroughly under space conditions, however, not much is known on the functional and morphological effects of spaceflight on the human central nervous system. Previous studies have already shown that central nervous system changes occur during and after spaceflight in the form of neurovestibular problems, alterations in cognitive function and sensory perception, cephalic fluid shifts and psychological disturbances. However, little is known about the underlying neural substrates. In this review, we discuss the current limited knowledge on neuroplastic changes in the human central nervous system associated with spaceflight (actual or simulated) as measured by magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques. Furthermore, we discuss these findings as well as their future perspectives, since this can encourage future research into this delicate and intriguing aspect of spaceflight. Currently, the literature suffers from heterogeneous experimental set-ups and therefore, the lack of comparability of findings among studies. However, the cerebellum, cortical sensorimotor and somatosensory areas and vestibular-related pathways seem to be involved across different studies, suggesting that these brain regions are most affected by (simulated) spaceflight. Extending this knowledge is crucial, especially with the eye on long-duration interplanetary missions (e.g. Mars) and space tourism.

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Section: Implications For Countermeasures and Neuroimaging In Spaceflmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

et al. 2017

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“…Motor imagery should ideally be performed before, during, and after exposure to microgravity to prepare for the lack of gravity, counteract the effects of weightlessness and promote the re-adaptation to normogravity. A quite similar theoretical viewpoint had been nicely proposed by Bock et al (2015), who more specifically focused on the preparation period few days before landing. These authors developed two phases of individual MI training program to reach an optimal level of preparation before exposure to microgravity.…”

Section: Conclusion: How To Implement MI Into the Preparation And Mismentioning

confidence: 68%

“…As earlier outlined by Bock et al (2015), MI should be performed before exposure to microgravity, for at least three main reasons: (i) enhancing the ability to perform MI and the quality of the MI experience, (ii) preparing for exposure to the weightlessness condition, and specifically prepare astronauts for the sudden lack of gravity after launch, and (iii) providing relevant pre-adaptation of MI practice which is likely to be degraded during microgravity exposure.…”

Section: The Multifaceted Nature Of Motor Imagerymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A cost-effective, and non-invasive adjunct to complement physical training to both prepare the astronauts before a spaceflight and compensate for the detrimental effects of weightlessness exposure is MI. MI has demonstrated to enhance physical practice both in terrestrial (Schuster et al, 2011) and astronaut populations (Papaxanthis et al, 2003; Chabeauti et al, 2012; Bock et al, 2015). Finally, there is a paucity of research investigating the effect of MI when returning to normogravity while a strong theoretical basis would support ergogenic effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Benefits of Motor Imagery for Human Space Flight: A Brief Review of Current Knowledge and Future Applications

Guillot

Debarnot

2019

Front. Physiol.

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Motor imagery (MI) is arguably one of the most remarkable capacities of the human mind. There is now strong experimental evidence that MI contributes to substantial improvements in motor learning and performance. The therapeutic benefits of MI in promoting motor recovery among patients with motor impairments have also been reported. Despite promising theoretical and experimental findings, the utility of MI in adapting to unusual conditions, such as weightlessness during space flight, has received far less attention. In this review, we consider how, why, where, and when MI might be used by astronauts, and further evaluate the optimum MI content. Practically, we suggest that MI might be performed before, during, and after exposure to microgravity, respectively, to prepare for the rapid changes in gravitational forces after launch and to reduce the adverse effects of weightlessness exposition. Moreover, MI has potential role in facilitating re-adaptation when returning to Earth after long exposure to microgravity. Suggestions for further research include a focus on the multi-sensory aspects of MI, the requirement to use temporal characteristics as a measurement tool, and to account for the knowledge-base or metacognitive processes underlying optimal MI implementation.

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“…Mental training, in turn, refers to the creation of mental imagery from sensory processes stored in the memory capable of being accessed without external stimuli 11 . According to the symbolic learning theory 12 , a person is able to create a "mental sketch", which helps to carry out a particular task. In contrast, the psycho neuromuscular theory 13 states that imagination accesses the motor cortex and generates neuromuscular activation similar to performing a motor task.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

O treinamento mental gera efeito positivo na ansiedade competitiva de jovens nadadores?

Fortes

Lira

Lima

et al. 2016

Rev. Bras. Cineantropom. Desempenho Hum.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n3p353 The aim of this research was to analyze the effect of mental training on the competitive anxiety of young swimmers. The sample consisted of 35 swimmers aged 15 - 17 years (M = 15.93; SD = 0.98), randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (EG, n = 17) and control group (CG, n = 18). The study lasted eight weeks. Both groups performed the same physical/technical training planning. CG watched advertisement videos while EG performed mental training. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R) was administered to all athletes before the start of the season and the last week of the “taper” mesocycle. The findings revealed that the “cognitive anxiety” and “somatic anxiety” subscale scores attenuated from pre-test to post-test in EG (p = 0.01) and remained stable in CG (p = 0.15). The results showed that the “self-confidence” subscale score increased from pre-test to post-test in EG (p = 0.01) and remained stable in CG (p = 0.26). Significant difference was found in “cognitive anxiety” (p = 0.01), “somatic anxiety” (p = 0.01) and “self-confidence” (p = 0.01) subscales across EG and CG after 8 weeks. It was concluded that mental training was effective in reducing anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and increasing the self-confidence of young swimmers.

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Motor imagery: lessons learned in movement science might be applicable for spaceflight

Cited by 12 publications

References 50 publications

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

Spaceflight-induced neuroplasticity in humans as measured by MRI: what do we know so far?

Benefits of Motor Imagery for Human Space Flight: A Brief Review of Current Knowledge and Future Applications

O treinamento mental gera efeito positivo na ansiedade competitiva de jovens nadadores?

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