Muscle Weakness and Visualization Strategies
Question: I am trying a seated Tai Chi class online. I visualized moving a paralyzed leg. The next day I felt the loose hip joint feeling that makes it too painful to step with that leg. Is it possible just visualizing I overused some struggling muscle neurons?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: I doubt that visualizing moving your leg and then having hip pain are related. But it is your brain that makes your muscles move. There is fascinating research showing that just visualizing muscle movement causes EMG electrical activity in the muscle whose movement is being visualized. Athletes use visualization for motor learning (called "latent learning" or "learning without responding") and for mental preparation, e.g., visualizing winning.
So, here’s my recommendation: Be cautious. Don't visualize "pumping iron."