Abstract
Motor imagery is widely known to be an effective tool commonly used in sport settings to enhance motor coordination. However, differences between first- and third person imagery in terms of its effects on performance and underlying psychological mechanisms as well as conditions in which using of each perspective should be considered optimal are still not well understood. At the same time, current options to adjust mental imagery for individual need and, in particular, special strategies for imagery use depending on athletes’ level of expertise are limited. To investigate potential features of imagery perspective related to athletes technical expertise, we have tested 54 cross-country skiers (40 males and 14 females) aged from 11 to 31 (M = 16.3) and ranked from third-class junior to merited master of sport. To determine athletes’ technical skill levels dual-task methodology with following video analysis and expert technique assessment were implemented. Then, by using cluster analysis, the participants were divided into 4 groups according to their expertise. The national team members were assigned to the fifth group as best-skilled performers. Based on imagery perspective for 11 ski technical elements, groups with predominant use of first-person, third-person or switching perspective were formed by means of cluster analysis. Cross-tabulation revealed gradual rise of the third-person imagery use across motor skill development with a secondary increase in the first person images frequency in most-skilled performers. Possible explanations and applications of the obtained data are discussed.
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