Think positive, perform better: The detrimental effect of technical motor imagery before action

Pre-performance routines (PPR) are widely used to optimize athletes' attentional, emotional, and physiological readiness before action. Motor imagery (MI), the mental simulation of an action, is an important part of PPR. Yet, how the content of MI within these routines shapes performance remains unclear. This study examined the functional effects of distinct MI types embedded in PPR on subsequent weightlifting performance. A sample of 120 national-level CrossFit® athletes performed clean and snatch lifts under four randomized conditions following a baseline recording session: Motivational General MI (MG-MI) focusing on physiological activation, Motivational Specific MI (MS-MI), Cognitive Specific MI (CS-MI) involving imagery of technical skills, and a control condition without imagery. Power output, barbell trajectory, and self-reported levels of motivation, fatigue, and difficulty were recorded. Results revealed that MG-MI and MS-MI significantly enhanced power and technical accuracy compared to all other conditions (p < 0.001), whereas CS-MI markedly impaired performance (p < 0.001). Subjective measures were unaffected, excluding motivational or fatigue-related influence. These results demonstrate that the functional direction of MI may determine its short-term efficacy within PPR. CS-MI involving imagery of technical skills might interfere with motor fluency through excessive conscious control. By delineating how CS-MI and both MG-MI and MS-MI components differentially affect expert motor behavior, this study offers evidence-based guidance for designing more effective PPR in sports.