Abstract
【Introduction】
The utilization of mental rotation (MR) tasks in rehabilitation has garnered considerable attention as a modality for motor imagery intervention. To optimize the impact of interventions employing MR tasks, it is imperative to contemplate interventions tailored to the motor imagery proficiency of each individual. Hence, meticulous assessment of individual disparities in motor imagery ability is indispensable for this purpose. This study aimed to clarify the relationships between MR tasks and hand motor skills and previous activity habits.
【Subjects】
Seventy university students were included in this study.
【Methods】
After conducting a survey of past activity habits (specifically, activity type and duration), MR task performance and hand motor skills were assessed. MR tasks were executed utilizing the Recognise application on an iPhone, while manual dexterity was evaluated employing the Purdue Pegboard Test.
【Results】
Thirteen participants had participated in activities necessitating manual dexterity, twelve had participated in activities involving whole‐body coordination, and thirty‐three had participated in both categories of activities. No significant correlation was observed between MR task performance and hand motor skills. In contrast, in the group comparison based on activity habits, participants in the longer activity history group performed significantly better on the MR task than those in the shorter activity history group.
【Conclusion】
The results of this study showed that there was a difference in MR task performance depending on the time spent on the activity previously. This suggests that a detailed understanding of individual factors, such as activity habits, may help to determine which of them are more important when introducing MR tasks and adjusting their level of difficulty.
