Influence of prior and imagined movements on motor adaptation

In my PhD project I explore the effectiveness of different prior movements on motor adaptation and their neural correlates. Prior movement kinematics of the opposite arm can serve as effective cues for force field-specific motor adaptation, showing that linked movements across body parts can influence adaptation processes (Gippert et al., 2023, J Neurosci). In addition, motor imagery of a prior movement also allows adaptation, supporting the idea of functional equivalence between motor imagery and executed movements in this context (Gippert et al., 2025, PNAS). My work provides insights into motor learning mechanisms, with implications for rehabilitation and skill training by leveraging both actual and imagined movement sequences to improve motor adaptation.