The effects of imagery training on free-throw accuracy among young basketball players

Abstract Objectives The influence of mental imagery training on the performance of adolescent basketball players in free-throw task was examined using an experimental design and the results revealed significantly better improvement among players who practiced using mental imagery compared to the control group. Methods The training program was based on adjusted MIIMS imagery model, and 81 basketball players (aged 13–17) from five junior competition-level teams were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, where players practiced free throws only physically. Players from both groups underwent a total of 14 training sessions at the end of practices during a 7-week period. Their performance in a free-throw task was measured pre- and post-intervention along with multiple factors that could influence changes in performance. Results Comparison of groups with both parametric and non-parametric tests revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group and non-significant improvement in the control group. Furthermore, correlation and regression analyses discovered several statistically significant factors that might influence the performance change. Conclusions The findings not only help in understanding the role of imagery in training routines of young athletes, but they also reveal several methodological implications for future research.