Influence of observed non-biological motion on motor control:examination of relationship between motor experience and motor resonance

Abstract

Motor resonance that occurs by observation of other movements is affected by motor experience of self, however the influence of non-biological motion is unclear. The present study investigated the influence of motor experience on motor resonance of participants observing non-biological motion. Participants performed horizontal arm movements while observing non-biological, incongruent (vertical) movements of a visual stimulus (triangle object) in pre-test and post-test procedures. Furthermore, participants executed vertical movements as motor experience, between the pre-test and post-test procedures. Variance in the vertical direction of horizontal movements was measured as an index of motor resonance. Observing non-biological motion produced significant motor resonance on executed movements. There was no significant difference in the degree of motor resonance before and after the participants experienced the vertical movements as motor experience. The present study showed that observing non-biological motion can interfere with motor control. It is suggested that motor experience does not affect the subsequent motor resonance even if only the movement direction between self and other is consistent.