Cross-Limb Transfer of Motor Skills: Mental Practice of Non-Dominant Hand Benefits Contralateral Limb

This paper investigates the question: Does the mental practice of the non-dominant hand enhance its performance and the performance of the contralateral limb? The study involved 16 handball players who engaged in mental exercises focused on their non-dominant hands during practice. The findings indicate that the mental practice of one limb positively influences the performance of the opposite, or contralateral, limb. The conclusion is that enhancing contralateral limb performance is a valuable strategy in athletic training, contributing to holistic development and optimizing an athlete’s potential, as well as proving beneficial in rehabilitation and motor skill acquisition.