Muscle activation color information facilitates visual perception in action observation and motor imagery
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This eye-tracking study investigates how simulated muscle activation color visualization shapes visual perception during Action Observation and Motor Imagery (AO + MI) for motor skill learning. In a mixed-design experiment ( N = 40), we manipulated visual cues (with/without muscle colors) and task type (AO/AO + MI) to examine their effects on gaze behavior and cognitive load. Results indicate that while pure AO induced a higher cognitive load (evidenced by larger pupil diameters), the experimental group receiving muscle color cues exhibited longer fixations, larger saccades, and more structured, efficient scanpaths, with attention directed toward key upper limb and torso areas. These findings demonstrate that muscle-based visualization enhances the extraction of critical kinematic information and optimizes attentional allocation, thereby facilitating more effective cognitive-motor integration during AO + MI. This provides empirical evidence for refining motor learning protocols through integrated visual-cognitive strategies. • This study investigates visual perception in AO + MI by muscle activation color. • Muscle-based visual cues significantly improve gaze transition structure. • Experimental group exhibited increased cognitive load and attentional focus. • Scanpath analyses demonstrated that more efficient visual search. • Muscle activation visual cues enhance cognitive-motor processing efficiency.
Source: Acta Psychologica
Authors: Xiaogang Ma, Bing Shi
Institution: Shaanxi Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,670
OpenAlex ID: W7146936873