The simulation theory argues that physical execution, action observation, and imagery share similar underlying mechanisms. Accordingly, applying a high-level psychological variable (variability of practice) should have a similar effect on all three modes. To test this theory, a total of 90 right-handed students participated in this study and were randomly divided into variable versus constant groups in three practice conditions, including physical, observational, and imagery. After a pretest (10 random trials of the putting task), the participants completed 50 practice trials. The groups performed/observed/imagined the task in the variable (different distances to different goals) or constant (fixed distance and goal) practice conditions. Also, there was an extra variable group in the physical and observational conditions, deprived of watching the feedback from the action. The participants completed a retention test 24 hr after the training. The effect of practice variability was observed in physical and observational conditions, but was not seen in the imagery condition. The no-feedback groups did not perform significantly differently from the imagery groups. The reason could be the lack of actual visual feedback during imagery.

仿真理论认为，物理执行，动作观察和图像具有相似的潜在机制。因此，应用高级心理变量（练习的变异性）应该对所有三种模式都具有相似的效果。为了检验该理论，共有90位惯用右手的学生参加了这项研究，并在三种练习条件下将其随机分为可变组和恒定组，包括物理，观察和图像。经过预测试（对推杆任务进行了10次随机试验）后，参与者完成了50次实践试验。这些小组在变量（到不同目标的距离不同）或常数（固定距离和目标）的练习条件下执行/观察/想象的任务。此外，在身体和观察条件上还有一个额外的变量组，被剥夺了观看行动反馈的机会。参与者在训练后24小时完成了保留测试。练习可变性的影响在物理和观察条件下均已观察到，但在成像条件下则未观察到。无反馈组的表现与图像组没有显着差异。原因可能是成像期间缺乏实际的视觉反馈。