A study on the structural relationship among dance training experience, motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and emotion regulation strategies in young adults

Introduction Based on embodied cognition theory, this study investigates the structural relationship among dance training experience, motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and core emotion regulation strategies in young adults. It also examines the statistical mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the association between motor imagery and cognitive reappraisal. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was adopted to assess 1,070 young adults aged 18 to 35. Core variables were measured using standardized scales for motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive reappraisal. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Welch's independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical multiple regression, and statistical mediation analysis based on 5,000 Bootstrap resamples. Results Participants with regular dance training experience scored significantly higher in motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive reappraisal than those without dance training experience, with respective differences of d = 0.594, 0.350, and 0.234 (all p < 0.001). Motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive reappraisal were significantly and positively correlated with each other, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.369 to 0.458 (all p < 0.001). Within-group analysis revealed that motor imagery ability showed a significant gradient increase with training intensity and duration, whereas higher-order cognitive and emotional differences primarily existed as a binary distinction between the experienced and inexperienced groups. Mediation analysis showed that cognitive flexibility provided a significant indirect statistical linkage between motor imagery and reappraisal, accounting for 34.11% of the total statistical relationship (95% CI = [0.091, 0.182]). Discussion In young adults, dance training experience is associated with higher motor imagery, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive reappraisal abilities. This study supports a theoretical linkage from bottom-up sensorimotor representation to top-down emotional reconstruction, providing an innovative perspective for integrating embodied movement practices to foster physical-psychological synergy and promote youth emotional wellbeing.