A field study conducted on the beginners of artistic gymnastics at Al-Afaq Mostaganem School

Abstract

This study introduces one of the modern techniques in the field of cognitive psychology and complements to the training process for artistic gymnastics coaches, in order to develop the level of athletic performance and skill performance in general. In particular, the study contained two homogeneous and equal groups, one experimental and the other controlled. The researcher applied a training program on the skill of mental imagery accompanying the skill training on the experimental sample consisting of (8) juniors in artistic gymnastics, to know the effect of this type of training in developing the level of skill performance of some basic skills on the ground movement apparatus (wheel with quarter turn – back flip – back somersault straight). The duration of the program was defined as (08) weeks at the rate of (03) training units per week, and the units of the proposed program included exercises (muscle and mental relaxation, basic mental imagery and multidimensional mental perception). The results indicated that there is a positive direct relationship between the development of the level of mental imagery and the level of skill performance of the motion skills under study. Accordingly, the researcher recommends the need to incorporate such mental programs while planning various preparation programs, in order to develop the mental abilities of athletes to improve the level of skill performance.