EMG Quantification of Mental Rehearsal

Abstract

EMG response to mental rehearsal was investigated in 5 athletes who reported the ability to image “internally”. Rehearsal was associated with increases in EMG activity relative to resting levels and ranging from 45 to 178%. Configuration of the EMG profile was highly congruent with the imaged event. Congruency of the imaged EMG profile with EMG profiles of the actual performance was demonstrated. Actual time taken to perform and the rehearsal time also exhibited congruency. Findings suggest methods of assessing the mental rehearsal process and research paradigms with implications for specific mental-training techniques.