6533b825fe1ef96bd1282a48

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Mentally Simulated Motor Actions in Children

Charalambos PapaxanthisAnnie VinterXanthi Skoura

subject

Malemedicine.medical_specialtyMovementNeuropsychological TestsFunctional LateralityDevelopmental psychologyChild DevelopmentPhysical medicine and rehabilitationMotor imageryReaction TimeDevelopmental and Educational PsychologymedicineHumansYoung adultChildProblem SolvingAnalysis of VarianceAge FactorsMotor taskNeuropsychology and Physiological PsychologyAction (philosophy)ArmImaginationFemalePsychologyPsychomotor Performance

description

The present study investigated the effects of age and arm preference on motor imagery ability. Children (groups: 6.5, 8.3, and 10.1 years) and young adults (22.4 years) physically or mentally performed a drawing motor task with the right or the left arm. Imagery ability, accessed by the timing correspondence between executed and imagined movements, was poor at 6 and 8 years but improved at age 10, and was robust in adults. The arm condition had no influence on imagery ability. We suggest that maturation of parietal and prefrontal cortices during development may contribute to improvement of action representation.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2009-05-14Developmental Neuropsychology
https://doi.org/10.1080/87565640902801874