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Mandolesi L, Passarello N, Lucidi F. Differences in motor imagery abilities in active and sedentary individuals: new insights from backward-walking imagination. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2024; 88:499-508. [PMID: 37773349 PMCID: PMC10858124 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-023-01876-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Evidence has shown that imagining a complex action, like backward-walking, helps improve the execution of the gesture. Despite this, studies in sport psychology have provided heterogeneous results on the use of motor imagery (MI) to improve performance. We aimed to fill this gap by analyzing how sport experience influences backward-walking MI processes in a sample of young women (n = 41, mean age = 21 ± 2.2) divided into Active and Sedentary. All participants were allocated to two randomized mental chronometric tasks, in which they had first to imagine and then execute forward-walking (FW) and backward-walking (BW). The Isochrony Efficiency measured the difference between imagination and execution times in both conditions (FW and BW). Moreover, we analyzed the ability to vividly imagine FW and BW within various perspectives in both groups through the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ-2). Findings showed that active individuals performed better in the BW imagery task when compared to sedentary ones (F1,39 = 4.98; p = 0.03*), while there were no differences between groups in the FW imagery task (F1,39 = .10; p = 0.75). Further, VMIQ-2 had evidenced that the ability to imagine backward is influenced by perspective used. Specifically, the use of internal visual imagery (IVI) led to worse Isochrony Efficiency (t32,25 = 2.16; p = 0.04*), while the use of kinesthetic imagery (KIN) led to better Isochrony Efficiency (t32,25 = - 2.34; p = 0.03*). These results suggest a close relation between motor experience and complex motor imagery processes and open new insights for studying these mental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mandolesi
- Department of Humanities, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Porta Di Massa, 1, 80133, Naples, Italy.
| | - Noemi Passarello
- Department of Humanities, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Porta Di Massa, 1, 80133, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Lucidi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Troisi Lopez E, Liparoti M, Passarello N, Lucidi F, Mandolesi L. Multimodal Physical Exercise Affects Visuo-Spatial Working Memory: Preliminary Evidence from a Descriptive Study on Tai-Chi Practitioners and Runners. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1400. [PMID: 37891768 PMCID: PMC10605525 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has shown a relationship between physical exercise (PE) and cognitive functioning. However, it is unknown if unimodal and multimodal modalities of PE affect cognitive abilities in different ways. To fill this gap, we analyzed the effects of unimodal PE (running) and multimodal PE (Tai Chi) on specific cognitive abilities. A sample of 33 participants (mean age = 52.6 ± 7.2) divided into eleven runners, eleven Tai Chi practitioners, and eleven age-matched sedentary individuals were subjected to a neuropsychological tests battery to assess shifting and problem solving abilities (Rule Shift Cards, BADS-RS, and Key Search tasks), verbal fluency (semantic and phonemic verbal fluency tasks), verbal memory (Rey's 15 words test), visuo-spatial working memory (Corsi test), and global cognitive functioning (clock-drawing test). The results showed significantly higher BADS-RS scores in runners and Tai Chi practitioners in comparison to the sedentary participants, thus evidencing improved shifting abilities for active individuals. Interestingly, post hoc analysis showed significantly higher span scores of Corsi test only in Tai Chi practitioners as compared to sedentary participants, suggesting how multimodal PE facilitates the visuo-spatial working memory processes. Although preliminary, our descriptive study indicates that the type of PE could modulate specific cognitive domains, even if the practice of motor activity favors a global cognitive improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emahnuel Troisi Lopez
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, National Research Council, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Marianna Liparoti
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Noemi Passarello
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Fabio Lucidi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Laura Mandolesi
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
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Serra L, Petrosini L, Mandolesi L, Bonarota S, Balsamo F, Bozzali M, Caltagirone C, Gelfo F. Walking, Running, Swimming: An Analysis of the Effects of Land and Water Aerobic Exercises on Cognitive Functions and Neural Substrates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16310. [PMID: 36498383 PMCID: PMC9740550 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the brain and cognitive reserves framework, aerobic exercise is considered as a protective lifestyle factor able to induce positive effects on both brain structure and function. However, specific aspects of such a beneficial effect still need to be completely clarified. To this aim, the present narrative review focused on the potential brain/cognitive/neural reserve-construction mechanisms triggered by different aerobic exercise types (land activities; such as walking or running; vs. water activities; such as swimming), by considering human and animal studies on healthy subjects over the entire lifespan. The literature search was conducted in PubMed database. The studies analyzed here indicated that all the considered kinds of activities exert a beneficial effect on cognitive/behavioral functions and on the underlying brain neurobiological processes. In particular, the main effects observed involve the cognitive domains of memory and executive functions. These effects appear related to structural and functional changes mainly involving the fronto-hippocampal axis. The present review supports the requirement of further studies that investigate more specifically and systematically the effects of each type of aerobic activity, as a basis to plan more effective and personalized interventions on individuals as well as prevention and healthy promotion policies for the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serra
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Mandolesi
- Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonarota
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Balsamo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Bozzali
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RY, UK
| | | | - Francesca Gelfo
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, 00193 Rome, Italy
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Passarello N, Liparoti M, Padulo C, Sorrentino P, Alivernini F, Fairfield B, Lucidi F, Mandolesi L. Motor Imagery as a Key Factor for Healthy Ageing: A Review of New Insights and Techniques. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1492. [PMID: 36358418 PMCID: PMC9688582 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) describes a dynamic cognitive process where a movement is mentally simulated without taking place and holds potential as a means of stimulating motor learning and regaining motor skills. There is growing evidence that imagined and executed actions have common neural circuitry. Since MI counteracts cognitive and motor decline, a growing interest in MI-based mental exercise for older individuals has emerged. Here we review the last decade's scientific literature on age-related changes in MI skills. Heterogeneity in the experimental protocols, as well as the use of populations with unrepresentative age, is making it challenging to draw unambiguous conclusions about MI skills preservation. Self-report and behavioural tasks have shown that some MI components are preserved, while others are impaired. Evidence from neuroimaging studies revealed that, during MI tasks, older individuals hyperactivate their sensorimotor and attentional networks. Some studies have argued that this represents a compensatory mechanism, others claim that this is a sign of cognitive decline. However, further studies are needed to establish whether MI could be used as a promotion factor to improve cognitive functioning and well-being in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Passarello
- Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Liparoti
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Padulo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, Gabriele d’Annunzio University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Sorrentino
- Institut de Neuroscience des Systemès, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Fabio Alivernini
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Beth Fairfield
- Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Lucidi
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Mandolesi
- Department of Humanities, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
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