Motor imagery is widely studied, including through postural control research methods. However, despite a large number of studies devoted to mental performance of motor actions and metaphor comprehension, no direct comparison has been made between mental performance of motor and metaphorical actions. The aim of this study was to compare stabilometric characteristics of subjects during mental performance of motor and metaphorical actions. The study involved 36 healthy subjects (18–30 years old). The subjects’ task was to mentally perform presented actions while standing on a stabilotrainer. Absolute and relative (relative to baseline recording with eyes open) values of parameters such as center of pressure trajectory length, center of pressure displacement velocity, and statokinesiogram area were measured. Comparison of absolute and relative parameters revealed no statistically significant differences, which could be explained by the heterogeneity of the overall group. Using Ward’s cluster analysis, two groups were identified, conditionally named “motor” (25 subjects, 69.4%) and “metaphorical” (11 subjects, 30.6%). Both groups were characterized by a postural destabilization effect during mental performance of motor actions compared to baseline, and by an increase in stabilometric parameter values toward the end of the study compared to the beginning. The “motor” group was characterized by larger absolute and relative parameter values during mental performance of motor actions and the presence of a destabilization effect during mental performance of motor actions. The “metaphorical” group was characterized by larger absolute and relative parameter values during mental performance of metaphorical actions and the presence of a destabilization effect during mental performance of metaphorical actions. Compared to the “motor” group, the “metaphorical” group showed a greater increase in stabilometric parameter values over time. Based on the results of the study, it can be hypothesized that visual imagery may predominate during mental performance of metaphorical actions in the “motor” group, and that the cognitive component of imagery has a greater influence during mental performance of metaphorical actions in the “metaphorical” group.
Galkin et al. (Wed,) studied this question.