Visualizing improves sports performance
Visualizing a basketball going into the net before making a shot will increase the chances of it happening, proves a new study by the New Mexico State University.
Lead researcher Philip Post studied the effect of imagery and its effect on performance.
“Specifically, I presented research, mostly research that I conducted, on the efficacy of using imagery to enhance learning or motor performance of well-rehearsed tasks,” Post said. “The research presented suggests that imagery might be effective for enhancing learner’s skill acquisition of tasks that contain greater cognitive elements, such as tasks that require decision making or remembering a sequence or pattern, as opposed to motor elements, or tasks that require correct skill execution, like a soccer kick. However, with more experienced performers imagery appears to be effective on a range of tasks, including both motor and cognitive. In addition to this research I discussed imagery theories and how to best apply the mental skill.”
Post used an anticipation timing device where participants use a ping pong paddle to time their swing as a line of light bulbs turn on, mimicking the path of a ping pong ball. He studied the reaction time of different groups: one who physically practiced their timing, one who uses visualization alone, and another who used both techniques, and a control group.
Post hopes to further gis research to help those with stroke or Parkinson’s.
“We hope to run interventions or studies to help the various clinical populations reacquire tasks faster and reduce their physical therapy time,” Post said.
