Characterising neuroplasticity stimulated by covert practice and the nature of learning through covert practice

我们通常通过身体练习来学习和保持一项运动技能。然而，我们也可以通过隐蔽的练习来学习。隐蔽练习的一种形式被称为运动想象，即我们想象自己在没有实际移动的情况下做一个动作。另一种隐蔽的练习形式被称为动作观察，是当我们观察别人做一个动作时。到目前为止，我们对大脑如何支持身体练习以及如何转化为学习有了很多了解，但对运动想象或动作观察却不是这样。如果我们知道这些形式的练习是如何起作用的，我们就可以更有效地利用它们来帮助人们学习新的动作（例如运动，外科手术技能，和/或在身体练习有限或不需要的环境中，例如身体或神经损伤）。我的研究项目的长期目标是全面了解隐蔽练习背后的神经和行为机制，并开发影响它们在学习中的应用的工具。我的五年研究计划将通过两个短期目标扩展我们对通过运动意象学习与通过行动观察学习的不同之处的理解。该研究项目将培养3名硕士，2名硕士博士，1名博士，7名本科生（荣誉）。首先，我们将测试当我们通过运动想象和动作观察练习时所学到的技能的哪些部分。人们将通过各种形式的练习来学习一个动作，然后他们将以不同的方式进行测试。这些类型的测试使我们能够评估所学技能的部分。我们还将评估在每种形式的练习中大脑的关键区域是如何相互作用的。我们将使用特殊的设备来测量这些相互作用，这使我们能够捕捉到一个大脑区域对另一个大脑区域的直接影响；一种尚未完成的方法。其次，我们将探讨通过两种形式的隐蔽实践学习如何受到专业知识的影响。一项技能的专家和新手将进行动作想象和动作观察。我们将再次测量大脑区域如何相互作用，并探索如何通过隐蔽练习在不同技能水平上进行学习。这项研究将允许我们检验我们的假设，即通过每种形式的隐蔽练习，学习的方式是不同的（与流行的理论相反）。具体来说，我们将展示每种形式的隐蔽实践背后的独特机制，以及随后的学习随专业知识而变化。我们需要这些基础知识，这样我们才能理解使用运动意象和动作观察来帮助技能学习的最佳方法。总的来说，这项研究将为HQP提供独特的机会，在许多部门（医疗保健、学术界、工业）都有很高的需求的大脑和行为技术的混合训练。这些知识将使运动学习在广泛的领域更好，最终将对加拿大人的日常生活和表现产生积极的影响。

We usually learn and maintain a motor skill through physical practice. Yet, we can also learn through covert practice. One form of covert practice is called motor imagery, and is when we imagine performing a movement without actually moving. Another form of covert practice is called action observation, and is when we watch someone else perform a movement. To date we know a lot about how the brain works to support physical practice, and how this translates to learning, but this is not true for motor imagery or action observation. If we know how these forms of practice work, we can use them more effectively to help people learn new movements (e.g. sports, surgical skills, and/or in settings where physical practice is limited or not desired, such as following physical or neurological injury). The long term-goal of my research program is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the neural and behavioural mechanisms that underlie covert practice, and to develop tools that influence their use for learning. My five-year research program will expand our understanding of how learning through motor imagery differs from action observation via two short-term objectives. This research program will train 3 MS, 2 MS-PhD-track, and 1 PhD, with assistance from 7 undergraduates (honours). First, we will test what parts of a skill are learned when we practice through motor imagery and action observation. People will learn a movement via each form of practice and then they will be tested in different ways. These types of tests allow us to assess the parts of the skill that were learned. We will also evaluate how key brain regions interact during each form of practice. We will measure these interactions using special equipment that allows us to capture the direct influence one brain region has on another; an approach not yet done. Second, we will explore how learning through both forms of covert practice is influenced by expertise. Experts and novices of a skill will perform motor imagery and action observation. We will again measure how brain regions interact, and explore how learning through covert practice occurs across different skill levels. This research will allow us to test our hypothesis that learning occurs differently through each form of covert practice (in contrast to the prevalent theory). Specifically, we will show that distinct mechanisms underlie each form of covert practice, and that subsequent learning changes with expertise. We need this fundamental knowledge so that we can understand the best way to use motor imagery and action observation to help with skill learning. Overall, this research will provide unique opportunities for HQP to be trained in a blend of brain and behavioural techniques that are in high demand in numerous sectors (healthcare, academia, industry). This knowledge will make motor learning better in a wide range of areas that will ultimately have a positive impact on the everyday life and performance of Canadians.