In July 2024, Reza Abdollahipour and Ludvík Valtr, faculty members from the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University in Olomouc, participated in a specialized training program at the esteemed University of Innsbruck in Austria. This institution, a vital member of the AURORA alliance, holds a prominent position as the leading research and educational center in western Austria.
The primary goal of this mobility was to develop expertise in experimental experiments, specifically utilizing eye-tracking technology in conjunction with concepts such as motor imagery, mental practice, mental representation, and motor learning. Dr. Stephan Dam is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on how the brain controls movement, particularly in the context of motor imagery—a cognitive process where an individual mentally rehearses a movement without physically performing it. This process does not involve actual muscle activation but can still enhance performance, learning, and even rehabilitation outcomes.
Previous research conducted by Palacký University's group had revealed that an individual's ability to engage in motor imagery could significantly impact the effectiveness of attentional focus instructions during tasks. However, there is still much to learn about the connection between motor imagery and attentional focus, prompting the need for further studies. This collaboration provided a platform for exchanging ideas and laying the groundwork for future joint research, which is expected to significantly strengthen the partnership between the two institutions under the AURORA program. This partnership aims to elevate the quality of both teaching and research at Palacký University.
In addition to collaboration with Dr. Dam's team, the visit also facilitated discussions with other prominent colleagues from the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, the University of Ostrava, the University of Florida, and Charles University in Prague, who were also visiting the University of Innsbruck at that time. These discussions were aimed at planning future research projects focused on identifying factors that both enhance and inhibit the acquisition and performance of motor skills. A key area of interest was exploring how attentional focus—specifically, what individuals think about while performing a task—affects performance and learning outcomes. Moreover, these insights are expected to have practical applications in clinical and rehabilitation settings, helping to improve the treatment of patients with motor impairments.
This visit marked a significant step forward in fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the fields of motor imagery, mental practice, motor control, and learning. It also solidified the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University as a leader in motor control and learning research, both within the Czech Republic and internationally. The growing network of collaborations and research initiatives promises to open up new avenues for innovative discoveries and applications in human movement and performance studies.