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Cognitive-motor interactions: The role of motor representation

Abstract:

Introduction. In the last decade, studies in cognitive neuroscience have considerably furthered our knowledge about the interactions between cognition and action. In particular, motor representation is seen to be one of the cognitive processes involved in the production of movement. This motor representation was deduced from comparisons between cognitive (e.g. motor imagination) and motor processes (e.g. motor performance). Yet, the interactions between this representation and other cognitive-motor processes such as motor planning eclipse the importance of the function of motor representation in action. In addition, this situation often gives rise to confusion when it comes to interpreting the function of motor representation. Consequently, the exact role it plays in producing movement is not very clear. Development. In order to clarify this role, we analyse imagination, preparation, planning, motor performance, affordances and automated movements. At the same time, we also propose a hypothetical scheme of the functioning of motor representation during the execution of a movement and an action. Conclusions. Motor representation can be considered as an active component in certain cognitive-motor processes that enables motor response to be updated online, as well as allowing the optimisation and acquisition of new motor skills. © 2008, Revista de Neurología.