Effect of PE on mental rotation – The case of artistic and physical activities: A review

Abstract

The concept of mental rotation (MR) was introduced in cognitive science by Shepard and Metzler (1971). These authors examined the time required to determine that two graphical images, each showing an asymmetrical assemblage of cubes, represented the same object or mirrored objects. The results showed that the response time was proportional to the angular difference between the depicted orientations of the shown object(s). Shepard and Metzler (1971) thus hypothesized that the subjects realized MR to allow comparison. Further interest was elicited when it was suggested that the measured performance of a MR task might reflect one of the key elements of intellectual ability and might contribute to predict success in different educational programs. This contributed to raise the question of the possible determinants in the performance of a MR task. A possible link between physical activity and the ability to perform a MR task was notably suggested and such link was supported by the results of studies comparing experts in different physical activities to non-athletes, as confirmed by a meta-analysis (Voyer and Jansen, 2017). Further examination is needed considering that other studies examined the direct effect of a physical training on the performance of a MR task or compared the performances of experts in different physical activities when realizing a MR task. Overall, the case of artistic and physical activities (e.g: artistic gymnastics) was particularly examined, allowing a review to be performed. The ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Researchgate databases led to examine 15 publications centred on both artistic and physical activities and MR. The results of these studies were examined by taking into account the study aim, the MR tasks and stimuli, the within and between -subjects variables that were considered, and the measured elements in the performance of the MR task. The results suggested two possible positive influences of artistic and physical activities: 1 on the performance of a MR task requiring to determine whether two images represent the same object or mirrored objects; 2 on the performance of a MR task of left-right decision with an image of a human body as stimulus, depending on compatibility among the physical rotations experienced and features of the rotation to be mentally imagined during the MR task. These two distinct possibilities were confirmed by computing Fisher’s exact test (p < .05). These findings will be discussed according to the distinct mechanisms possibly involved during a MR task. Possible influence of improved ability to perform MR tasks, through Physical education (PE), in STEM disciplines will be also discussed.