Does mental training help in tactical relearning? Hilft mentales Training beim taktischen Umlernen?

This study investigated mental practice as a training strategy for short-term cognitive relearning. The influence of three training interventions (physical practice, mental practice, and combined physical practice-mental practice) on decision-making quality and time in a strategic relearning process under internally valid conditions was examined. The computer-based strategy game of tic-tac-toe, in which time pressure can be simulated, was used as a diagnostic learning and relearning instrument Compared to a placebo group (n=16), the three intervention groups (n=48) unproved significantly in the relearning condition and were more successful than the placebo group. The physical practice and combined physical practice-mental practice groups were faster than the mental group, which, in turn, was faster than the placebo group. The relearning phase did not have a negative effect on performance under the first learning condition in any of the groups (interference effects). The results indicate that mental practice (preferably, combined with physical practice) can optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning process in tactical relearning. Verf.-Referat