It's All About Timing: An Imagery Intervention Examining Multiple Image Speed Combinations

• Published in: Journal of applied sport psychology Vol. 32; no. 3; pp. 256 - 276
• Main Authors: O, Jenny, Ely, Frank O., Magalas, Samantha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 03.05.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Baseball
• ISSN: 1041-3200; 1533-1571
• DOI: 10.1080/10413200.2019.1570391

The current quasi-experiment examined changes in youth baseball players' (N = 9) swing performance following an imagery intervention. Athletes participated in one of three conditions, each of which employed a different combination of slow-motion (SM), real-time (RT), or fast-motion (FM) image speeds: SM + RT, RT + FM, or SM + RT + FM. A single-subject multiple-baseline design was employed. The intervention approximated the real-world environment in which baseball players practice, thus, increasing representative design. Results generally indicated positive changes across all three conditions, however, the SM + RT + FM condition exhibited the most improvement. The employment of a multiple-speed imagery intervention appears to be a viable option for young athletes. Lay Summary: Can using a combination of slow-motion, real-time, and fast-motion imagery improve baseball batting performance? Our results suggest so! Learn more in "It's all about timing: An imagery intervention examining multiple image speed combinations' by @jennyo_csueb @Frank_O_Ely & @samagalas #JASP