Work

Neural oscillatory activity during guided and self-generated motor imagery: a comparative case study of a six-time World Cup skateboarder champion and an experienced recreational surfer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to examine and compare neural oscillatory activity during guided and self-generated motor imagery in two individuals with contrasting levels of competitive expertise: a six-time World Cup skateboarder champion and an experienced recreational surfer. Following baseline recording, continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) activity (Brain Products GmbH, Gilching, Germany) was acquired during three motor imagery conditions: verbally guided training imagery, verbally guided competition imagery, and self-generated competition imagery. Analyses of frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), frontal beta asymmetry (FBA), and frontal midline theta (fmθ) showed distinct patterns of frontal oscillatory activity across imagery conditions and between the two athletes. FAA and FBA values were consistently lower in the skateboarder than in the surfer during the imagery conditions, although between-case differences were already evident at baseline. In contrast, fmθ showed a condition-dependent pattern, with higher values in the skateboarder during verbally guided training imagery but lower values during verbally guided and self-generated competition imagery. These case-level observations suggest that frontal oscillatory activity during motor imagery may vary according to imagery condition and individual characteristics. However, because the two participants differed not only in competitive expertise but also in sport discipline, prior imagery training, and trait imagery ability, the observed EEG differences cannot be attributed specifically to motor expertise. Accordingly, these findings should be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating, providing a basis for future studies examining the relationships among motor expertise, imagery modality, and neural oscillatory activity in larger and more homogeneous samples.

Source: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1964730

Authors: Luciane Aparecida Moscaleski, Alexandre Moreira

Institution: Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Sport Psychology and Performance

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801