Résumé
Mental rotation, the ability to internally manipulate spatial representations of objects, is a fundamental cognitive skill closely associated with executive function, spatial reasoning, and proficiency in mathematics and STEM-related domains. Prior research has consistently shown that individuals with stronger mental rotation abilities tend to achieve higher levels of academic and professional success. Behavioral and neuroimaging evidence further indicate that mental rotation engages distributed neural networks, including the parietal and frontal cortices, as well as premotor and sensorimotor regions. This overlap suggests that sensorimotor processes and visuospatial cognition share common neural substrates, particularly in tasks that require the coordination of perception, motor planning, and spatial transformation. Building on this evidence, the present study investigated whether a visuomotor training task could effectively enhance mental rotation performance. Undergraduate participants engaged in a 20–30-minute Lego brick-building task involving the construction of complex three-dimensional models. This task was designed to tax motor planning, mental rotation, and visuomotor coordination. Mental rotation ability was assessed immediately before and after the intervention using the standardized Mental Rotation Test (MRT; Shepard & Metzler, 1971). Results revealed a significant improvement in MRT scores following the training, indicating that even brief visuomotor engagement can produce measurable gains in spatial ability. These findings underscore the potential of object-based, sensorimotor interventions for enhancing cognitive skills related to spatial reasoning. Future research should explore if these effects are long-lasting and whether repeated or prolonged training leads to sustained or generalized improvements in visuospatial cognition.
