Association Between Mental Imagery and Change of Direction Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players of Different Maturity Status.

Dorsaf Sariati,Mokhtar Chtara,Ammar Nebigh,Anthony C Hackney,Raouf Hammami,Cain C T Clark,Urs Granacher,Hassane Zouhal,Nizar Souissi,Omar Ben Ounis

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665508

Abstract

Previous studies have not considered the potential influence of maturity status on the relationship between mental imagery and change of direction (CoD) speed in youth soccer. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study examined the association between mental imagery and CoD performance in young elite soccer players of different maturity status. Forty young male soccer players, aged 10-17 years, were assigned into two groups according to their predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) (Pre-PHV; n = 20 and Post-PHV; n = 20). Participants were evaluated on soccer-specific tests of CoD with (CoDBall-15m) and without (CoD-15m) the ball. Participants completed the movement imagery questionnaire (MIQ) with the three- dimensional structure, internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), as well as kinesthetic imagery (KI). The Post-PHV players achieved significantly better results than Pre-PHV in EVI (ES = 1.58, large; p < 0.001), CoD-15m (ES = 2.09, very large; p < 0.001) and CoDBall-15m (ES = 1.60, large; p < 0.001). Correlations were significantly different between maturity groups, where, for the pre-PHV group, a negative very large correlation was observed between CoDBall-15m and KI (r = –0.73, p = 0.001). For the post-PHV group, large negative correlations were observed between CoD-15m and IVI (r = –0.55, p = 0.011), EVI (r = –062, p = 0.003), and KI (r = –0.52, p = 0.020). A large negative correlation of CoDBall-15m with EVI (r = –0.55, p = 0.012) and very large correlation with KI (r = –0.79, p = 0.001) were also observed. This study provides evidence of the theoretical and practical use for the CoD tasks stimulus with imagery. We recommend that sport psychology specialists, coaches, and athletes integrated imagery for CoD tasks in pre-pubertal soccer players to further improve CoD related performance.

Highlights

The concept of children and adolescents participating in youth soccer training has received growing interest among researchers, clinicians and practitioners over recent years
Analyses revealed no significant differences between the performances noted during the two trials for the pre-planned change of direction (CoD) measured variables
This study provides the first empirical evidence of the theoretical and applied use for the CoD tasks stimulus with imagery

Summary

Introduction

The concept of children and adolescents participating in youth soccer training has received growing interest among researchers, clinicians and practitioners over recent years. In this context, knowledge of when to apply an appropriate training stimulus during long-term athlete development is essential for effective soccer programming and improving athletic performance (Lloyd et al, 2013; McNarry and Jones, 2014; Hammami et al, 2018). Major morphological and neural changes occur with growth and maturation (Malina et al, 2004; Hammami et al, 2016) which make it difficult to identify the exact timing to introduce and promote specific physical qualities. Lupo et al (2019) postulated that the promotion of CoD training is more effective than soccer-specific training to improve linear sprint and CoD performances with ball possession

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion