The Effects Of Acute Mental Imagery Training On Force Output In College-age Students

Abstract

Mental imagery training can be an effective tool to enhance endurance and skill-based sport performance, especially long-term mental imagery training. The effects of mental imagery on muscular force production, especially in the field of resistance training, are not as well researched. The effects of acute mental imagery training are also not well studied. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of acute mental imagery training on handgrip strength in college-age participants. METHODS: A repeated measures design was utilized. 34 participants (17 men, 17 women, 173.3 cm ± 8.9 cm, 77.0 kg ± 16.2 kg, 20.2 yrs ± 1.3 yrs) over two sessions, separated by 48 hours. Handgrip dynamometry was used to assess maximal and average force production over three consecutive trials following a control treatment (passive sitting) or a 10-minute mental imagery treatment. Mental imagery consisted of learning about imagery and practicing with a premade imagery script. RESULTS: Average force production was higher overall (38.17 kg ± 13.03 kg vs. 35.65 kg ± 13.52 kg; t(33) = 4.158; p = 0.000; d = 0.190), for men (48.80 kg ± 8.55 kg vs. 46.01 kg ± 10.00 kg; t(16) = 3.549; p = 0.003; d = 0.3004), and for women (27.54 kg ± 6.08 kg vs. 25.28 kg ± 7.00 kg; t(16)= 2.388; p = 0.030; d = 0.3445) after acute mental imagery training. Maximal force production was higher overall (40.08 kg ± 13.10 kg vs. 38.14 kg ± 13.85 kg; t(33) = 3.007; p = 0.005; d = 0.140) and for men (50.98 kg ± 8.35 kg vs. 49.02 kg ± 9.98 kg; t(16) = 2.352; p = 0.032; d = 0.2135) following mental imagery training. Women experienced greater maximal force production after mental imagery training, but not significantly greater than the control treatment (29.18 kg ± 5.65 kg vs. 27.25 kg ± 6.65 kg; t(16) = 1.898; p = 0.076; d = 0.3118). CONCLUSION: Acute mental imagery training improves handgrip force production. Mental imagery training may be effective in short term settings and for resistance training and strength and power athletes.