The Effect Of Motor Imagery With Different Somatosensory Input In Expert Volleyball Players:a FMRI Study

Human motor skills and the use of tools are inseparable, and there is a positive correlation between motor skills and motor imagery. The motor imagery is a kind of psychological simulation process, and has a similar neural basis with the action execution. Previous studies have indicated that both visual and sensory information input will affect the brain activity during the presentation. However, changes of central nervous system induced by effect of somatosensory input of specific tools on motor imagery have not been fully explored.This study used fMRI to explore the brain regions activated during motor imagery of special action when professional volleyball athletes holding specific tool(volleyball), non-specific tool(basketball) or nothing. Using the motor imagery questionnaire(MIQ) to evaluate the general imagination ability of the subjects. In addition, under the three conditions of the ball, one-way ANOVA were uesd to analyses the absolute difference value of the time of motor imagery and action execution. After the fMRI experiment, the subjects were self assessed by means of motor imagery strategy questionnaire and the motor imagery quality questionnaire,and the results were tested by Friedman Test.The results showed that somatosensory input bring by different holding conditions have significant influence on volleyball athletes’ motor imagery.(1)Results of Motor imagery strategy questionnaire show that all participants scored more than 3 points in four projects, so the subjects are correctly using the kinesthetic imagery strategy; we apply nonparametric Friedman test on movement imagery questionnaire of quality and results show that when imagine serving volleyball, there is a significant difference kinesthetic imagery score between three ball conditions(P <0.05). Besides, with volleyball was significantly greater than that with basketball and without ball(P < 0.05), and there is significant difference(P > 0.05) between with basketball and without ball; Scores of visual imagery under the three conditions shows no significant difference(P > 0.05).(2) Brain activation is greater with holding tools than with nothing in the right precuneus and right posterior cingulate. Besides that, significant difference in activation was found in motor imagery with specific tool than with non-specific tool in right middle frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor area.We suggest that motor imagery of professional athletes is influenced by the somatosensory input, that is, when holding special tool, the frontoparietal control network was significantly activated. The research results provide theoretical basis and practical basis for sports training and functional recovery after brain injury.