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Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences: Faculty 11 - Subject Sport/Sports Science

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Frank (Head)

Portr?t von Cornelia Frank
© Universit?t Bremen, Annemarie Popp

Professor of Human Movement Science

Address:

Am Fallturm 1 (Building Eco 5 - TAB)
Office 3.10
Mail: cornelia.frank[at]uni-bremen.de

Office hours:
Appointments via Stud.IP (during semester) or by arrangement via phone/ email (during semester break)

Profiles:
ORCID
researchgate 
google scholar 

 

Biography & administration

Scientific CV

  • Since 01.10.2024 Professor of Human Movement Science at University of Bremen
  • 2020-2024 Assistant Professor of Sport Science, Focus Movement and Training at Osnabrueck University
  • 2018-2019 Postdoctoral Researcher in the Neurocognition and Action Group and Sports and Education Group at Bielefeld University
  • 2014-2018 Postdoctoral Researcher in the Neurocognition and Action Group and the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University (Interdisciplinary Large Scale Project: Intelligent Coaching Space)
  • 2010-2014 Doctoral Researcher in the Neurocognition and Action Group and the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University (PhD Project: Mental representation and mental practice)

 

Education and Qualifications

  • 2023 Positive mid term evaluation as Assistant Professor of Sport Science, Focus Movement and Training at Osnabrueck University
  • 2014 PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science at Bielefeld University
  • 2014 Completion PhD study program Intelligent Systems at the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University
  • 2008 Completion (Magister) study program in sports science, sports in rehabilitation and prevention and psychology at the University of Heidelberg

 

Administration (selection)

  • 2022-2024 Board Member, School of Educational and Cultural Sciences, Osnabrueck University
  • 2021-2024 Board Member, Institute of Sports and Human Movement Science at Osnabrueck University
  • 2014-2020 Scientific Board Member, Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University
  • 2012-2015 Member of Steering Committee of PhD study program Intelligent Systems, Technical Faculty/ Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University
  • 2011-2014 Board Member of Graduate School, PhD student speaker, Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University

 

Further academic roles  

Networks and memberships

Roles as Editor

Roles as Reviewer

e.g. for British Journal of Psychology, Cognitive Processing, Cortex, European Journal of Sport Science, Experimental Brain Research, German Journal of Sport and Exercise, International Journal of Sport Psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, Learning and Motivation, Nature Communications Biology, Neuroscience, Perceptual and Motor Skills, Psychological Research, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, Reviews of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie

Research

Research Areas

  • Motor learning
  • Motor cognition
  • Imagery/ Learning through imagery
  • Observation/ Learning through observation
  • Virtual Reality/ New technologies
  • Instruction and Feedback
  • Motor planning during early childhood
  • Psychological skills training in children and adolescents
  • Quantitative Methods

 

Teaching

Human Movement Science

e.g.,

? Foundations of Human Movement Science

? Learning and Coaching of Human Movement

? Instruction, Analysis, Feedback

? Motor Learning in and with Virtual Reality

 

Sport Psychology

e.g.,

? Psychological skills training

? Imagery training in physical education

 

Cognitive Science

e.g.,

? Cognition and Action Control

? Cognitive Systems/ Assistive Systems

 

Coaching Science

e.g.,

? Foundations of Coaching Science

? Coaching in Physical Education

 

Theoretical and Applied Aspects of Sports and Movement

e.g.,

? Alpine skiing/ On Snow and Ice

 

 

Publications

Journal Articles

Chye, S., Chembila Valappil, A., Knight, R., Greene, A., Shearer, D. A., Frank, C., Diss, C., & Bruton, A. (2025). Does model type influence the effectiveness of combined action observation and motor imagery training for novices learning an Ankle Pick takedown? Frontiers in Psychology, 16. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1596660) link (link to OSF preprint)

Schütz, C., & Frank, C. (2025). Hysteresis in posture selection in preschool children. Cognitive Development, 74, 101588. (doi: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2025.101588)

Schütz, C., & Frank, C. (2024). Data for "Hysteresis in posture selection in preschool children" [Data set]. Universit?t Bielefeld. (doi: 10.4119/unibi/2999360)

Linnhoff, D., Kaiser, R., Mattes, K., & Frank, C. (2025). Cognitive representation of gait: Differences in memory structures between individuals after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. Cognitive Processing, 26, 423-433. (doi: 10.1007/s10339-024-01255-4)

Wright, D., Matthew, S., Kraeutner, S., Barhoun, P., Bertollo, M., Campbell, M., Waltzing, B.,… & Holmes, P. (2024). An international estimate of the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1454107. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1454107)

Frank, C., Guillot, A., & Vogt, S. (2024). Imagery and motor learning: A special issue on the neurocognitive mechanisms of imagery and imagery practice of motor actions. Psychological Research, 88, 1785-1789. (doi: 10.1007/s00426-024-01982-5)

Frank, C., Kraeutner, S., Rieger, M., & Boe, S. (2024). Learning motor actions via imagery – perceptual or motor learning? Psychological Research, 88, 1820-1832. (doi: 0.1007/s00426-022-01787-4) (published online 2023)

Bach, P., Frank, C., & Kunde, W. (2024). Why motor imagery isn’t really motoric: Towards a reconceptualization in terms of effect-based action control. Psychological Research, 88, 1790-1804. (doi: 10.1007/s00426-022-01773-w) (published online 2022)

Chye, S., Chembila-Valappil, A., Knight, R., Shearer, D., Frank, C., Diss, C., & Bruton, A. (2024). Action observation perspective influences the effectiveness of combined action observation and motor imagery training for novice learning an Osoto Gari throw. Scientific Reports, 14, 19990. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-70315-8)

Guillot, A., Di Rienzo, F., Frank, C., Debarnot, U., & MacIntyre, T. (2024). From simulation to motor execution: A review of the impact of dynamic motor imagery on performance. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17, 420-439. (doi: 10.1080/1750984X.2021.2007539) (published online 2021)

Hardwick, R., Moreno-Verdú, M., Hamoline, G., Van Caenegem, E. E., Waltzing, B. M., Forest, S., … Wright, D. (2024). Guidelines for Reporting Action Simulation Studies (GRASS): Proposals to improve reporting of research in Motor Imagery and Action Observation. Neuropsychologia, 192, 108733. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108733)

Wang, K.-P., Frank, C., Hung, T.-M., & Schack, T. (2023). Neurofeedback training: Decreases in Mu rhythm lead to improved motor performance in complex visuomotor skills. Current Psychology, 42, 20860-20871. (doi: 10.1007/s12144-022-03190-z) (published online 2022)

d’Aquino, A., Frank, C., Hagan, J. E., & Schack, T. (2023, online). Eye movements during motor imagery and execution reveal different visuomotor control strategies in manual interception. Psychophysiology, e14401. (doi: 10.1111/psyp.14401)

Frank, C., Hülsmann, F., Waltemate, T., Wright, D., Eaves, D., Bruton, A., Botsch, M., & Schack, T. (2023). Motor imagery during action observation in virtual reality: The impact of watching myself performing at a level I have not yet achieved. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 21, 401-427. (doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2022.2057570) (published online 2022)

Frank, C., Klüver, J., & Simonsmeier, B. (2023, online). Imagery training of motor actions in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. (doi: 10.1080/1750984X.2023.2167225)

Chye, S., Valappil, A. C.., Wright, D. J., Frank, C., Shearer, D. A., Tyler, C. J., Diss, C. E., Mian, O. S., Tillin, N. A., & Bruton, A. M. (2022). The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and movement outcomes: A meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 143, 104911. (doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104911)

d’Aquino, A., Frank, C., Hagan, J. E., & Schack, T. (2022). Imagining interceptions: Eye movements as an online indicator of covert processes during motor imagery. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 16, 940772. (doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.940772)

Wright, D., Frank, C., & Bruton, A. (2022). Recommendations for combining action observation and motor imagery interventions in sport. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 13, 155-167. (doi: 10.1080/21520704.2021.1971810) (published online 2021)

Frank, C., Bekemeier, K., & Menze-Sonneck, A. (2021). Imagery training in school-based physical education improves the performance and the mental representation of a complex action in comprehensive school students. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 56, 101972. (doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101972)

Schack, T. & Frank, C. (2021). Mental representation and the cognitive architecture of skilled action. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 12, 527-546. (doi: 10.1007/s13164-020-00485-7) (published online 2020)

Toth, A., Frank, C., Putrino, D., & Campbell, M. (2021). Editorial: Progress in computer gaming and Esports: Neurocognitive and motor perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 686152. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.686152)

Wang, K.-P., Frank, C., Tsai, Y.-y., Lin, K.-H., Chen, T.-T., Cheng, M.-Y., Huang, C.-J., Hung, T.-M., & Schack, T. (2021). Superior performance in skilled golfers characterized by dynamic neuromotor processes related to attentional focus. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 633228. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633228)

Simonsmeier, B., Andronie, M., Buecker, S., & Frank, C. (2021). The effects of imagery interventions in sports: A meta-analysis. International Reviews of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 14, 186-207. (doi: 10.1080/1750984X.2020.1780627) (published online 2020)

Kim, T., Frank, C., & Schack, T. (2020). The effect of alternate training of action observation and motor imagery on cognitive and skill performance. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 51, 101-121. (doi: 10.7352/IJSP.2020.51.101)

Meier, C., Frank, C., & Groeben, B. (2020). Verbal instructions and motor learning: How analogies and motion rules influence the development of mental representations and tennis serve performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00002)

Menze-Sonneck, A., Bekemeier, K., & Frank, C. (2019). Stell dir vor! Vorstellungstraining im Sportunterricht der Sekundarstufe II. Sportunterricht, 68, 301-305.

Menze-Sonneck, A., Bekemeier, K., & Frank, C. (2019). Ein Unterrichtsvorhaben zur Einbindung des Vorstellungstrainings in der gymnasialen Oberstufe am Beispiel des Hüftaufschwungs. Sportunterricht, 68, 313-318.

Frank, C., Hülsmann, F.*, Senna, I.* (*Erstautoren), Ernst, M., Schack, T., & Botsch, M. (2019). Superimposed skilled performance in a virtual mirror improves motor performance and cognitive representation of a full-body motor action. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, 6, 43. (doi: 10.3389/frobt.2019.00043)

Frank, C., Kim, T., & Schack, T. (2018). Observational practice promotes action-related order-formation in long-term memory: Investigating action observation and the development of cognitive representation in complex motor action. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 6, 53-72. (doi: 10.1123/jmld.2017-0007)

Frank, C., Linstromberg, G.-L., Hennig, L., Heinen, T., & Schack, T. (2018). Team action imagery: Imagery of game situations and required team actions promotes a functional structure in players’ representations of team-level tactics. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 40, 20-30. (doi: 10.1123/jsep.2017-0088)

Wright, D., Wood, G., Eaves, D., Bruton, A., Frank, C., Franklin, Z. (2018). Corticospinal excitability is facilitated by combined action observation and motor imagery of a basketball free throw. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 39, 114-121. (doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.006)

Simonsmeier, B. A., Frank, C., Gubelmann, H., & Schneider, M. (2018). The effects of motor imagery training on performance and mental representation of 7- to 15-year-old gymnasts of different levels of expertise. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 7, 155-168. (doi: 10.1037/spy0000117)

Frank, C. & Schack, T. (2017). The representation of (inter)action, states of action, and learning: Three perspectives on learning by way of imagery and execution. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 678 (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00678)

Kim, T., Frank, C., & Schack, T. (2017). A systematic investigation of the effect of action observation training and motor imagery training on the development of mental representation structure and skill performance. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 499. (doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00499)

Hülsmann, F., Frank, C., Schack, T., Kopp, S., & Botsch, M. (2016). Multi-level analysis of motor actions as a basis for effective coaching in virtual reality. In P. Chung, A. Soltoggio, C. W. Dawson, Q. Meng, & M. Pain (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport (ISCSS) vom 09. bis 11. September in Loughborough, Vereinigtes K?nigreich (pp. 211-214). Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 392. Heidelberg: Springer. (doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-24560-7)

Frank, C., & Schack, T. (2016). In my mind’s (quiet) eye: A perceptual-cognitive approach to the Quiet Eye ? comment on Vickers. Current Issues in Sport Science, 1:107. (doi: 10.15203/CISS_2016.107)

Frank, C., Land, W. M., & Schack, T. (2016). Perceptual-cognitive changes during motor learning: The influence of mental and physical practice on mental representation, gaze behavior, and performance of a complex action. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1981. (doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01981)

Frank, C., Land, W. M., Popp, C., & Schack, T. (2014). Mental representation and mental practice: Experimental investigation on the functional links between motor memory and motor imagery. PLoS ONE, 9(4), e95175. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095175)

Land, W. M., Frank, C., & Schack, T. (2014). The influence of attentional focus on the development of skill representation in a complex action. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 15, 30-38. (doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.09.006)

Schack, T., Essig, K., Frank, C., & Koester, D. (2014). Mental representation and motor imagery training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 328. (doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00328)

Frank, C., Land, W. M., & Schack, T. (2013). Mental representation and learning: The influence of practice on the development of mental representation structure in complex action. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14, 353-361. (doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.12.001)

 

Special Issues

Frank, C., Guillot, A., & Vogt, S. (2024). Special Issue on the Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Imagery and Imagery Practice of Motor Actions. Psychological Research, 88. (Full Special Issue)

 

Book Chapters

Frank, C. (2024). Virtuelle Realit?t: Die Zukunft des individualisierten Lehrens und Lernens von Bewegung? In C. Englert, I. Pfeffer, C. Vater, & K. Staufenbiel (Hrsg.), Sportpsychologie. Grundlagen und Trends (S. 183-199). Tübingen: UKV.

Frank, C. & Schack, T. (2022). Teaching closed self-paced motor tasks in Virtual Reality. In R. Lidor & G. Ziv (Eds.), The Psychology of Closed Self-Paced Motor Tasks in Sports (pp. 146-159). New York: Routledge. (doi: 10.4324/9781003148425)

Frank, C. (2020). Virtual Reality and mental training. In M. Bertollo, E. Filho, & P. Terry (Eds.), Advancements in Mental Skills Training (pp. 177-186). Oxon, New York: Routledge. (doi: 10.4324/9780429025112)

Frank, C., Wright, D., & Holmes, P. (2020). Mental simulation and neurocognition: Advances for motor imagery and action observation training in sport. In D. Hackfort & R. J. Schinke (Eds.), Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Volume 2: Applied and Practical Measures (pp. 411-428). Oxon, New York: Routledge. (ISBN: 9781138734463)

Schack, T., & Frank, C. (2019). Ideomotor training. In D. Hackfort, R. Schinke, & B. Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of Sport Psychology: Sport, Exercise, and Performing Arts (pp. 138-139). London: Elsevier. (ISBN: 9780128131503)

Frank, C. (2016). Learning a motor action from within: Insights into the development of one’s action representation with mental and physical practice. In M. Raab, P. Wylleman, R. Seiler, A.-M. Elbe, & A. Hatzigeorgiadis, Sport and Exercise Psychology Research from Theory to Practice (pp. 91-121). Amsterdam: Elsevier. (ISBN: 9780128036341)

Updated by: Micòl Feuchter
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