Individual electroencephalographic differences when performing movement mental imagery

The aim of this investigation was to further the understanding of the cognitive mechanisms underpinning the ability to perform movement mental imagery (MI). Electroencephalograms (EEG) were recorded from 30 male participants classified as high or low for movement MI ability by the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ), while performing movement MI. Results indicated movement MI ability main effects in the slow alpha, fast alpha, beta 1, and beta 2 EEG frequency wavebands, with the lower ability group having less slow alpha power, and more fast alpha, beta 1, and beta 2 band powers. The results support the contention that differences in movement MI ability are mediated by the cognitive subsystems responsible for manipulating movement images. It is also suggested that those processes related to image production and maintenance play some role in determining movement MI ability, but play a greater role in visual MI ability.