Data DRYAD.xlsx

<b><i>Purpose.</i></b> The perception of effort exerts considerable influence in determining task failure during endurance performance. Training interventions blending physical and cognitive tasks yielded promising results in enhancing endurance performance. Motor imagery can modulate the perception of effort. Whether combining motor imagery and physical training improves endurance remains to be understood, and this was the aim of this study. <b><i>Methods.</i></b> Two groups of participants were constituted (motor imagery and control). Both groups performed physical exercises (i.e. isometric wall squat, 12 training sessions, 14-days period), with participants from the motor imagery group also performing motor imagery sessions. Each participant visited the laboratory for experimental procedures pre and post training, during which we assessed endurance performance through a sustained submaximal isometric contraction performed until task failure at either 20 or 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction. Perceptions of effort and muscle pain were measured regularly during the exercise. <b><i>Results.</i></b> We reported no changes in endurance performance for the control group. Endurance performance in the motor imagery group exhibited significant improvements when the intensity of the sustained isometric exercise closely matched that used in training (i.e. 20% of MVC). These enhancements were less pronounced when considering the higher exercise intensities. No reduction in perception of effort was observed in both groups. There was a noticeable decrease in muscle pain perception within the motor imagery group post training. <b><i>Conclusion.</i></b> Combining motor imagery and physical training may offer a promising avenue for enhancing endurance performance and managing pain in various contexts, from sports to clinical rehabilitation.

<b><i>研究目的。</i></b> 耐力表现过程中，努力感知对任务力竭的发生具有显著影响。融合身体与认知任务的交叉训练干预，在提升耐力表现领域已展现出颇具前景的成果。运动表象（Motor Imagery）可调节个体的努力感知水平。而结合运动表象与身体训练能否有效改善耐力表现，目前仍有待阐明，本研究即以此为核心目标。<b><i>研究方法。</i></b> 本研究招募两组受试者（运动表象组与对照组）。两组均完成身体训练内容：即等长靠墙静蹲（isometric wall squat），共计12次训练课程，训练周期为14天；其中运动表象组受试者额外完成运动表象训练课程。所有受试者分别于训练前、训练后前往实验室接受实验测试：通过维持次最大等长收缩直至任务力竭的方式评估耐力表现，收缩强度设定为最大自主收缩（maximal voluntary contraction, MVC）的20%或40%；在该次收缩测试过程中，定期测量受试者的努力感知与肌肉疼痛感知。<b><i>研究结果。</i></b> 对照组的耐力表现未出现显著变化。当持续等长测试的强度与训练中使用的20%最大自主收缩强度高度匹配时，运动表象组的耐力表现出现了显著提升；而当测试强度升高至40%最大自主收缩时，该提升效果则相对有限。两组受试者的努力感知均未出现显著降低。训练后，运动表象组的肌肉疼痛感知出现了明显下降。<b><i>研究结论。</i></b> 综上，结合运动表象与身体训练，或许可为提升耐力表现以及疼痛管理提供一条颇具前景的路径，其应用场景可覆盖从体育运动到临床康复的多个领域。