Itoh, Sho, Morris, Tony and Spittle, Michael ORCID: 0000-0002-6094-5087 (2017) Effect of imagery dose repetitions on performance in sport. In: 14th World Congress of Sport Psychology (ISSP2017), 10 Jul 2017 - 14 Jul 2017, Sevilla, Spain.

Abstract

Imagery is an effective psychological skill that can be applied to sports performance. Research has shown benefits of utilizing imagery in sport for improving performance and controlling mental states. However, many studies neglect important imagery variables, particularly repetition, duration, and frequency, that are related to determining the most effective dose of imagery for the response of improved sports performance. Identifying the most effective amount of imagery can provide guidance to help athletes, coaches, and psychologists to better use imagery training to improve athletic performance. Moreover, all levels of athletes will be able to use imagery more effectively for their desired goals. In this project, we systematically investigated the dose-response relationships of imagery prescription used to promote sports skill by manipulating the number of repetitions, duration, and frequency of imagery. Specifically, repetitions acted as the independent variable, while duration and frequency remained constant. We randomly allocated 60 participants from local basketball teams to three imagery intervention conditions (n=15 each), who performed 10, 20, or 30 imagery repetitions per session, and a control condition (n=15), who maintained their usual basketball training. Imagery participants undertook 4 weeks of imagery training to promote free-throw shooting, continuing their usual basketball training. Duration and frequency of sessions were held constant at 10 minutes and 3 sessions per week respectively. Accuracy of free-throw shooting was measured at pre- intervention, Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and follow-up in Week 5. We analyzed accuracy of basketball free-throw shooting by using 2-way mixed design ANOVA, that is, 4 conditions (3 independent repetition conditions and control condition) x 6 occasions (repeated measures at pre-test, Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and follow-up test in Week 5). Results will be described and discussed and implications addressed.

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