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Imagery intervention in open and closed tennis motor skill performance
Ricardo Weigert Coelho1, Wagner De Campos, Sergio Gregorio Da Silva
1Research Center for Exercise and Sport Science, Physical Education Department, Federal University of Paraná. coelhoricardo@ufpr.br
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 11, 2007
Summary
Mental imagery significantly improved closed tennis skills, like service receiving, in young players. This mental practice technique may be more effective for closed skills than open skills.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Motor Skill Acquisition
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Imagery interventions are increasingly explored to enhance athletic performance.
- Understanding the differential effects of imagery on open versus closed motor skills is crucial for effective training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of an imagery intervention on the performance of two distinct tennis motor skills: the service shot (open skill) and service receiving (closed skill).
- To compare the effectiveness of combined technical practice and imagery versus technical practice alone in improving tennis skill execution.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design with pre- and posttesting was employed.
- Forty-eight male tennis players (ages 16-18) were assigned to either a control group (technical practice only) or an imagery group (technical practice plus imagery).
- Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the performance data.
Main Results:
- A significant main effect of the imagery intervention was found on the closed skill (service receiving), with p = .002.
- The imagery intervention demonstrated a notable impact on improving performance in closed motor skills.
Conclusions:
- Imagery intervention can significantly enhance the performance of closed motor skills in young tennis players.
- Mental imagery may be a more potent tool for improving closed skill execution compared to open skill execution in tennis.
