Journal of Advances in Para-Sport Science
A peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to the advancement of sports sciences for individuals with diverse abilities

Mental imagery can improve performance in a visuomotor task: a pilot study

Authors

Maryam Salehi 1
Wesley Pyke 2
Hasan Mohammadzadeh 3
Mohammad Ali Nazari 4
Amir-Homayoun Javadi 5

1 School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;

2 School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury

3 School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

4 Department of Neuroscience, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK; Institute of Behavioral Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK; School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;

https://doi.org/10.52547/hases.1.1.21
Abstract
Abstract: This experiment assessed the effectiveness of two interventions; mental imagery and physical training as compared to a control group, on their ability to improve visuomotor accuracy, measured by scores achieved on a visuomotor task. For mental imagery participants had to imagine throwing a dart and for physical training participants physically practised dart throwing. Measurements were recorded pre-intervention, after two weeks of training (Mid-intervention), after five weeks of training (Outcome Measure 1) and two weeks after training (Outcome Measure 2). Comparison of Mid-intervention, Outcome Measure 1 and Outcome Measure 2 with baseline showed both interventions to significantly increase performance on dart throwing compared to the Control group. Our findings show that, as well as traditional physical practise, mental imagery can effectively improve performance on a fine visuomotor task. This is an important finding highlighting possible applications of mental imagery in those with limited motor abilities to maintain or enhance motor movement.

Keywords

imagery
Visuomotor
Athletic Performance
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Journal of Advances in Para-Sport Science
Volume 1, Issue 1
September 2021
Pages 21-29