The effect of theoretically-based imagery scripts on field hockey performance

Smith, Dave, Holmes, Paul S., Whitemore, Lisa and Devonport, Tracey (2001) The effect of theoretically-based imagery scripts on field hockey performance. Journal of sport behavior, 24 (4). pp. 408-419. ISSN 0162-7341

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Abstract

This study examined the application of a Langian imagery perspective (Lang, 1979, 1985) to a real-life sporting task, namely field hockey penalty flick performance. Twenty-seven novice hockey players were randomly assigned to either one of two imagery groups, or a control group. Participants in one of the imagery groups received stimulus and response proposition-laden imagery scripts, while the other received stimulus proposition-only scripts. All imagery participants imagined performing twenty penalty flicks three times per week for seven weeks, and control participants performed no imagery or physical practice during this period. Pre- and post-tests consisted often penalty flicks, with performances recorded for all groups. The response proposition group improved to a significantly (p [less than].05) greater degree than the stimulus proposition-only group, which in turn showed greater improvement (p [less than] .05) than the controls. Results support the application of bio-informational theory to sport and indicate that imagery scripts should be laden with response propositions to maximize their effectiveness.