Imagery orientation and vividness: Their effect on a motor skill performance.

Examined the effect of imagery on an eye–hand coordination task. In Exp 1, 75 high school students (mean age 16.34 yrs old) watched a video of either successful basketball foul shots or unsuccessful shots, or of recreational skiing. Then Ss were taught how to experience and feel movement through relaxation and imagery. Shooting trials were performed at 1-wk intervals. Results indicated that while imagery vividness remained high and unchanged across 4 trials in all groups, performance improved with time as a result of acquaintance with the task. In Exp 2, similar procedures were applied to 20 coaching academy students, with trials performed twice a week. External imagery orientation increased while performance remained unchanged. Results suggest that imagery can contribute to performance only when Ss efficiently master the task, and that novices should first practice the task and only later integrate imagery into their practical programs. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)