Changes in Motor Imagery Along with Improved Skills in a Beginner Baton Twirler: A Single Case Experimental Study Using EEG

Abstract

Psychological and physiological indices including introspective reports, visual analogue scales, and electroencephalogram data were used to investigate during motor imagery and skills acquisition, as well as changes in perspectives during motor imagery in a beginner baton-twirler. We also used a single case experimental design and followed the beginner baton-twirler for three years and intermediate twirlers for two years. Their electroencephalograms were monitored while they engaged in motor imagery of actual baton twirling movements and their a and b band activities were analyzed as indices of arousal. After completing motor imagery, participants responded to the visual analogue scale inquiring about di‹culty, vividness, and controllability of motor imagery. Moreover, participants reported skills they obtained and results of competitions. We observed acquisition of new skills, improved results, increased vividness, better regulation of motor imagery, changes in motor imagery perspective, as well as increased a, and decreased b band activities. These results suggest that proˆciency in skills promoted high quality motor imagery at an adequate arousal.