Revisiting Motor Imagery Guidelines in a Tropical Climate: The Time-of-Day Effect

Vanessa Hatchi (), Aymeric Guillot and Nicolas Robin
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Vanessa Hatchi: Laboratory “Adaptation au Climat Tropical, Exercice & Santé” (UPRES EA 3596), Faculté des Sciences du Sport de Pointe-à-Pitre, Campus Fouillole, Université des Antilles, BP 592, CEDEX, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, France
Aymeric Guillot: Inter-University Laboratory of Human Movement Biology-EA 7424, University of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
Nicolas Robin: Laboratory “Adaptation au Climat Tropical, Exercice & Santé” (UPRES EA 3596), Faculté des Sciences du Sport de Pointe-à-Pitre, Campus Fouillole, Université des Antilles, BP 592, CEDEX, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, France

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Motor imagery (MI) is relevantly used to improve motor performance and promote rehabilitation. As MI ability and vividness can be affected by circadian modulation, it has been proposed that MI should ideally be performed between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Whether such a recommendation remains effective in a hot and humid environment, such as a tropical climate, remains unknown. (2) Methods: A total of 35 acclimatized participants completed a MI questionnaire and a mental chronometry test at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. Visual (VI) and kinesthetic imagery (KI) abilities, as well as temporal congruence between actual walking and MI, were collected. Ambient temperature, chronotypes, thermal comfort, affect, and fatigue were also measured. (3) Results: VI scores were higher at 6 p.m. than at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., and temporal congruence was higher at 6 p.m. than at 7 a.m. Comfort, thermal sensation, and positive affect scores were higher at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (4) Conclusion: Data support greater imagery ability and accuracy when participants perceive the environment as more pleasant and comfortable. MI guidelines typically provided in neutral climates should therefore be adapted to tropical climates, with MI training sessions ideally scheduled in the late afternoon.

Keywords: motor imagery; imagery ability; tropical environment; mental chronometry; time of day (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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