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PERSPECTIVE article

Front. Psychol.

Sec. Movement Science

This article is part of the Research TopicExploring Motor Imagery Across the Lifespan – Gaps Between Practical Applications and Theoretical Frameworks - Volume IIView all 4 articles

To move without moving: a perspective article on motor imagery[PM1]

Provisionally accepted
Pedro Alexandre Duarte-MendesPedro Alexandre Duarte-Mendes1,2*André RamalhoAndré Ramalho1,2,3Maurizio BertolloMaurizio Bertollo4Henrique Pereira NeivaHenrique Pereira Neiva5,6Daniel Almeida MarinhoDaniel Almeida Marinho5,6
  • 1Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, School of Education, Castelo Branco, Portugal
  • 2Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (SPRINT), Castelo Branco, Portugal
  • 3PSYLAB – Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
  • 4BIND-Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
  • 5Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
  • 6Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, Portugal

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Abstract[PM2] Motor imagery – the mental simulation of movement without execution – activates motor networks with near-physical fidelity. Once considered ancillary, it is now central to neuroplasticity, enhancing skill acquisition, accelerating rehabilitation, and sustaining motor function across the lifespan. From stroke recovery to elite performance, motor imagery demonstrates that movement begins in cognition. As neurofeedback, brain–computer interfaces and virtual reality integrate with mental rehearsal, the boundary between thought and action begins to dissolve becomes narrower. This perspective argues that motor imagery is not a cognitive accessory but the neurocognitive foundation of movement – a rehearsal mechanism through which the brain reshapes the body. As it redefines effort, embodiment and access, it reveals a quiet truth: the body does not act – it is acted upon. In doing so, it supports the view that action is cognitively prepared before it is expressed.

Keywords: Movement Science, neuroplasticity, mental simulation, Cognitive rehabilitation, embodiment

Received: 01 Sep 2025; Accepted: 25 Nov 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Duarte-Mendes, Ramalho, Bertollo, Neiva and Marinho. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Pedro Alexandre Duarte-Mendes

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary Material