L’imagerie mentale et l’amélioration de la performance athlétique peuvent-ils faire l’objet de recherches ? S’agit-il de la bonne question ?

Abstract

The paper considered the fact that the research evidence in the field was too inconsistent to guarantee success in improving motor tasks. Three suggestions for improvement has been identified previously. These were the use of better control groups, single subject designs and improved monitoring of the quality and quantity of imagery. The authors noted the need for training procedures that were replicable. Three recent studies were reviewed that has been carried out at the University of Victoria which has addressed all or some of these concerns. Desite the procedures undertaken, there still remained several weaknesses in the designs brought on about by the nature of the samples used and the conditions in which the studies were completed. None of the studies were able to demonstrate strong treatment effects. It was suggested that the problems in carrying out such cognitively based research in field settings would inevitably make it difficult to identify performance changes. However, the three studies were consistent in their findings that all subjects reported improved feelings of confidence in approaching the respective sport skills. It was concluded that this was sufficient justification for the technique and worthy of further study.