Imagining to learn: quantifying network activation patterns to understand the brain mechanisms underlying motor imagery-based skill acquisition

我们学习高技能动作序列的能力是人类表现的许多方面的关键。从花样滑冰运动员完美的三级跳远到挽救生命的手术，熟练的动作都是通过一个被称为运动学习的过程磨练出来的。运动学习的发生是因为我们的大脑在我们重复练习新动作时发生了变化。我们通常通过实际操作来练习一个动作。这就是所谓的身体练习。然而，身体练习一个动作并不总是可能的；运动员受伤，外科医生疲劳，有些人在脑损伤后重新学习运动根本无法移动。事实证明，不动也可以练习一个动作；

Our ability to learn highly skilled sequences of movements is key to many aspects of human performance. From the flawless triple jump of a figure skater to life-saving surgeries, skilled movements are honed through a process called motor learning. Motor learning happens because our brain changes as we repetitively practice new movements. We usually practice a movement by actually doing it. This is called physical practice. However, it’s not always possible to physically practice a movement; athletes get injured, surgeons get tired, and some people re-learning movement after a brain injury can’t move at all. It turns out that it’s possible to practice a movement without moving at all;