Mental rehearsal of motor tasks recruits alpha-motoneurones but fails to recruit human fusimotor neurones selectively

Abstract

1. As mental rehearsal of movements activates multiple cortical areas associated with movement, we assessed whether this increases fusimotor drive and whether enhanced muscle spindle activity could contribute to the improvement in skill that accompanies mental rehearsal. 2. Microneurographic recordings were made from six muscle spindle afferents innervating extensor muscles in the forearm or tibialis anterior, which were selected because their discharge increased during very weak contractions. Activity was monitored while subjects imagined performing a range of activities including simple and complex movements involving the relevant muscles. 3. No activation of muscle spindle afferents occurred during imagined motor tasks without EMG. When the relevant muscles contracted during mental rehearsal, spindle discharge increased, much as in weak contractions. 4. Mental rehearsal increased background EMG in the involved muscles and also increased H reflex amplitude independently of EMG changes. 5. Although there was no evidence for selective fusimotor activation during imagined movement, skeletomotor activity and reflex excitability increased. Similar changes occur with preparation for movement following a cue. It is likely that mental rehearsal usually involves unintentional performance of the planned motor task.