Primavera otoño 2020 (Año LXIII Núms. 122-123)

horizontes@pucpr.edu Año LXIV Núm. 124-125 horizontes PRIMAVERA / OTOÑO 2021 PUCPR 72 to understand active regions of the brain while stroke patients watched others performing actions. The results did not show a concise result but demonstrated the possible contribution of mirror neurons to the recovery of the patients. Müller et al. (2018) studied action-directed perceptual ability in elite athletes and stroke patients. They studied perception and the brain to determine how sensory and motor systems promoted perceptual-motor behavior in athletes and stroke patients. The athletes had an increased brain-blood circulation for areas necessary for interpreting visual information. However, activation of visual areas did not occur in stroke patients. These findings promoted the common-coding theory that sensory and motor systems improve perceptual-motor behavior. Abuleil et al. (2019) compared the plasticity and inhibition of the visual cortex in older adults and young adults. They determined if the inhibition of the visual cortex occurred due to a decrease in the visual cortex plasticity, combined with gamma-aminobutyric acid. The reduction of gamma-aminobutyric acid was associated with increased motor learning capacity. Researchers found a slower visual response to fast stimuli in older adults versus young adults and a slower alternation of binocular rivalry in older individuals. These results seem to confirm that the plasticity of the visual cortex decreased over time. Huberdeau and Turk-Browne (2021) investigated how motor-perceptual associations improved actions. They also indicated the importance of the hippocampus in visuomotor learning. Huberdeau and Turk-Browne studied movement preparation using images that gave clues to the observer concerning the future movement and when to act to be successful in the attempt. Researchers also studied statistical learning based on probability to perform an unconscious action. Visuomotor associations allowed improved rapid performance. In contrast, statistical learning and repetition provided enhanced tests. Brenton et al. (2019) studied how visual perception and visual-motor capacity promoted better anticipation of an opponent’s movements. They stimulated these areas with videos simulating active participation in sport by improving anticipation capacity. The training occurred two times a week for four weeks in two groups and a control group with no training. Groups trained for four weeks increased precision in anticipating an opponent’s movements. Correa-Mesa and Álvarez-Peña (2016) indicated the importance of process optimization for improved sports performance. Process optimization allowed for better reaction time and greater efficiency of movement in sports. The athlete’s reaction time depended on perceiving patterns visually to anticipate an opponent’s movements. The researchers emphasized the importance of mirror neurons in anticipation processes. They theorized that an athlete imitated another’s movements; the mirror neurons activated when another athlete moved. Mirror neurons created anticipation pathways and other brain structures to promote good timing and good motor action while minimizing the risks of anticipating movement. D’Innocenzo et al. (2016) studied how observational learning affects learning a new skill at the motor level. Unlike imitation, the person was motivated to modify their actions through observational learning to improve performance. The scientists used visual and motor tests to improve the person’s performance in golf, resulting in improved learning. Observational learning reduced verbal interchanges to be processed and reduced forgetfulness. The results indicated faster- improved retention of the task learned through observational learning. Krasich et al. (2016) studied the performance of 27 participants during three days by using specialized equipment to measure visuomotor

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