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Is imagery better than reality? Performance in imagined dart throwing.

ABSTRACT: We investigated whether deviations from optimal performance are predicted in motor imagery. In Experiment 1, novices and experts imagined and executed dart throws. In imagination, they reported the final position of the dart. Experts performed better than novices in execution and imagination. Distance to the target and bias were smaller in imagination than in execution. In Experiment 2, we dissociated the roles of feedback from proximal and distal action elements for predictions. Three groups of novices estimated the dart's final position in imagination, in execution without visual feedback, or in execution with delayed visual feedback. Estimates did not differ significantly between groups, indicating that (the lack of) feedback did not influence predictions. Deviations from optimal performance were lower in estimated than in actual performance. In conclusion, although predictive mechanisms may be similar in imagination and execution, the full extent of deviation from optimal performance is not predicted.

SUBMITTER: Dahm SF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6520223 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Is imagery better than reality? Performance in imagined dart throwing.

Dahm Stephan F SF Rieger Martina M

Human movement science 20190323

We investigated whether deviations from optimal performance are predicted in motor imagery. In Experiment 1, novices and experts imagined and executed dart throws. In imagination, they reported the final position of the dart. Experts performed better than novices in execution and imagination. Distance to the target and bias were smaller in imagination than in execution. In Experiment 2, we dissociated the roles of feedback from proximal and distal action elements for predictions. Three groups of ...[more]

PMID: 30913415

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Is imagery better than reality? Performance in imagined dart throwing.

Publications

Is imagery better than reality? Performance in imagined dart throwing.

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