Modulation of corticospinal excitability during imagined knee movements

In this study, we investigated corticospinal excitability during mental sim ulation of a leg extension movement with the technique of transcranial magn etic stimulation. Motor evoked potentials were recorded in both knee extens ors (quadriceps) and flexors (biceps femoris) in 19 trained participants (h ealthy volunteers). The amplitude and latency of motor evoked potentials we re compared in three conditions: (1) at rest, (2) during motor imagery, and (3) at rest, immediately after motor imagery. The results showed a signifi cant effect (p < 0.001) of conditions on motor evoked potentials amplitude in the quadriceps but not in the biceps femoris. During motor imagery, the size of motor evoked potentials in the quadriceps increased significantly ( p < 0.001) compared with rest and post-imagery conditions. Changes in motor evoked potentials latency across conditions were not significant, however. These results are consistent with previous studies in the upper limb and s uggest that corticospinal excitability can be enhanced during motor imagery to facilitate responses in specific lower limb muscles.