Citation

Decety J, Ingvar DH. Acta Psychol. 1990; 73(1): 13-34.

Affiliation

Institut de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Bron, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2180254

Abstract

This paper reviews findings from cognitive and sport psychology, as well as from neurophysiology, concerning mental simulation of movement. A neuropsychological hypothesis is advanced to explain why mental practice can improve motor skill learning. Mental practice activates certain brain structures selectively as shown by measurements of regional cerebral blood flow. It appears likely that this activation improves the subsequent control of execution of movements. It is pointed out that the study of simulation of movements may not only be of value for sport training but also have importance for the rehabilitation of patients with motor disturbances following lesions of the central nervous system.

Language: en