Journal article
Can a single session of motor imagery promote motor learning of locomotion in older adults? A randomized controlled trial
Clinical Interventions in Aging, Vol.13, pp.713-722
2018
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the influence of a single session of locomotor-based motor imagery training on motor learning and physical performance. Patients and methods: Thirty independent adults aged ˃ 65 years took part in the randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted within an exercise science laboratory. Participants were randomly divided into three groups following baseline locomotor testing: motor imagery training, physical training, and control groups. The motor imagery training group completed 20 imagined repetitions of a locomotor task, the physical training group completed 20 physical repetitions of a locomotor task, and the control group spent 25 minutes playing mentally stimulating games on an iPad. Imagined and physical performance times were measured for each training repetition. Gait speed (preferred and fast), timed-up-and-go, gait variability and the time to complete an obstacle course were completed before and after the single training session. Results: Motor learning occurred in both the motor imagery training and physical training groups. Motor imagery training led to refinements in motor planning resulting in imagined movements better matching the physically performed movement at the end of training. Motor imagery and physical training also promoted improvements in some locomotion outcomes as demonstrated by medium to large effect size improvements after training for fast gait speed and timed-up-and-go. There were no training effects on gait variability. Conclusion: A single session of motor imagery training promoted motor learning of locomotion in independent older adults. Motor imagery training of a specific locomotor task also had a positive transfer effect on related physical locomotor performance outcomes. © 2018 Nicholson et al.
Details
- Title
- Can a single session of motor imagery promote motor learning of locomotion in older adults? A randomized controlled trial
- Authors
- Vaughan P Nicholson (Author) - Australian Catholic UniversityJustin W L Keogh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringN L L Choy (Author) - Australian Catholic University
- Publication details
- Clinical Interventions in Aging, Vol.13, pp.713-722
- Publisher
- Dove Medical Press Ltd.
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.2147/CIA.S164401
- ISSN
- 1176-9092
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2018 The Authors. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450654002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology