The Effects of Motor Imagery After a Variety of Motor Learning Times on Excitability of Spinal Motor Neurons and Accurate Motion

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of motor imagery on the excitability of spinal motor neurons and accurate motion. Subjects and Methods: About 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. F-waves were recorded at rest, while touching a sensor and motor imagery conditions. Also, the pinch force was measured before and after motor imagery. Furthermore, the subjects mastered the 50% MVC pinch force with learning times of 10 s, 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min beforehand. Results: Spinal motor neuron excitability with motor imagery after motor learning for 10 s, 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min was significantly increased as compared to other conditions. Accurate motion in the pinch task after motor imagery was better maintained than in the pinch task before motor imagery with motor learning times of 30 s and 1 min. However, with learning times of 10s and 2 min, the subject's ability to sustain accurate motion in the pinch task after motor imagery was significantly decreased as compared to that of the pinch task before motor imagery. Conclusion: Motor imagery increases spinal motor neuron excitability. To maximally improve accurate motion using motor imagery, it is important to practice and master motor learning beforehand

Effective Motor Imagery Application: Examining Spinal Cord Excitability from the F-Wave and Autonomic Nervous Activity from LF/HF

“…Due to this reason, we thought that motor imagery was maintaining motor accuracy. The differences point on this study and our previous study [13] was majority subject improvement motor accuracy. It is considered that intermittent motor learning was to increase the motor imagery effect than consecutive.…”

“…Our previous study [13] reported that the motor imagery after motor learning with consecutive using visual feedback was to maintain the motor accuracy. And, Heuer and Hegele [17] reported that the motor learning with intermittent using visual feedback was effective than consecutive.…”

“…The quality of being distinct of motor imagery was decided not only based on constant ability but also motor imagery practice [41]. The quality of being distinct of motor imagery was to converge the excitability of spinal motor neuron and improve motor performance [13]. And, our previous study [42] reported that motor imagery might improve expeditiousness.…”

“…Our previous study [13] investigated motor imagery effect for the motor accuracy on the hand finger. As a result, 30 s or 1 min motor practice was good to get the high motor imagery effect.…”