General motor representations are developed during action-observation

Exp Brain Res. 2010 Jul;204(2):199-206. doi: 10.1007/s00221-010-2303-6. Epub 2010 May 26.

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the generality of motor learning by action-observation. During practice, action-observation participants watched a learning model (e.g., physical practice participants) perform a motor sequence-timing task involving mouse/cursor movements on a computer screen; control participants watched a blank screen. Participants transferred to either a congruent (same mouse-cursor gain), or an incongruent (different mouse-cursor gain) condition. As predicted, motor sequence timing was learned through action-observation as well as physical practice. Moreover, transfer of learning to an incongruent set of task demands indicates that the motor representation developed through observation includes generalised visual-motor procedures associated with the use of feedback utilization.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Fingers / physiology
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Movement / physiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Observation / methods
  • Practice, Psychological*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Transfer, Psychology
  • Visual Perception*
  • Young Adult