Investigating central mechanisms underlying the effects of action observation and imagery through transcranial magnetic stimulation

J Mot Behav. 2011;43(5):361-73. doi: 10.1080/00222895.2011.604655. Epub 2011 Aug 23.

Abstract

Sport and exercise psychologists provide some interventions for clients based on limited direct evidence and partial understanding of the mechanisms that underpin their efficacy. The authors review a recent technique, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which offers a tested procedure for investigating cortical activity during observation and imagery processes. They provide a detailed description of the TMS protocol and highlight some of the key studies that inform sport and exercise psychology research. Finally, the authors offer some thoughts on the direct application to practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Brain Mapping / psychology
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology
  • Humans
  • Imagination / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / psychology*