Motor Learning in Lucid Dreams

This chapter aims to elaborate on motor learning in lucid dreams. Lucid dreaming training is the systematic repetition of a sports action with the experienced “dream body” in a lucid dream, with the aim of practicing movement sequences. It does not represent a traditional training method, however, anecdotal reports, questionnaire studies, qualitative studies, and experimental investigations show that training in a lucid dream can improve movement sequences for waking life. The mode of action is explained with the simulation theory, in which cognitive movement executions are understood as a simulation of the actual movement. For lucid dreaming, there are indications at various levels that suggest that movements in the dream represent a simulation. The findings so far are thus quite promising, which allows for some concrete recommendations for sports practice to be derived.