A Quantitative Investigation of Mental Fatigue Elicited during Motor Imagery Practice: Selective Effects on Maximal Force Performance and Imagery Ability

In the present study, we examined the development of mental fatigue during the kinesthetic motor imagery (MI) of isometric force contractions performed with the dominant upper limb. Participants (n = 24) underwent four blocks of 20 MI trials of isometric contractions at 20% of the maximal voluntary contraction threshold (20% MVC(MI)) and 20 MI trials of maximal isometric contractions (100% MVC(MI)). Mental fatigue was assessed after each block using a visual analogue scale (VAS). We assessed maximal isometric force before, during and after MI sessions. We also assessed MI ability from self-report ratings and skin conductance recordings. Results showed a logarithmic pattern of increase in mental fatigue over the course of MI, which was superior during 100% MVC(MI). Unexpectedly, maximal force improved during 100% MVC(MI) between the 1st and 2nd evaluations but remained unchanged during 20% MVC(MI). MI ease and vividness improved during 100% MVC(MI), with a positive association between phasic skin conductance and VAS mental fatigue scores. Conversely, subjective measures revealed decreased MI ability during 20% MVC(MI). Mental fatigue did not hamper the priming effects of MI on maximal force performance, nor MI’s ability for tasks involving high physical demands. By contrast, mental fatigue impaired MI vividness and elicited boredom effects in the case of motor tasks with low physical demands.