Action Observation and Imagery Training Improve the Ease With Which Athletes Can Generate Imagery

Wright, DJ, McCormick, SA, Birks, S, Loporto, M and Holmes, PS (2014) Action Observation and Imagery Training Improve the Ease With Which Athletes Can Generate Imagery. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27. ISSN 1041-3200

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Abstract

Imagery can improve sport performance, although its efficacy is mediated by the ease with which athletes can generate images. Establishing techniques that improve this imagery ability factor is desirable to enhance the effectiveness of imagery interventions. Twenty-seven club-level female golfers were assigned to imagery, action observation, or physical practice training groups (n = 9). Changes in image generation ease were assessed using the Revised Movement Imagery Questionnaire over an 8-week period. Imagery and action observation training were both effective in improving aspects of imagery ability. Action observation can provide sport psychologists with an effective tool for improving visual imagery ability in athletes.