The Effects of Mental Imagery with Video-Modeling on Self-Efficacy and Maximal Front Squat Ability

• Published in: Sports (Basel) 2016-04, Vol.4 (2), p.23
• Main Authors: Buck, Daniel J M, Hutchinson, Jasmin C, Winter, Christa R, Thompson, Brian A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exercise; Males; mental skills; psychology; Self-efficacy; Sports psychology; strength and conditioning; three repetition maximum (3RM)
• ISSN: 2075-4663; 2075-4663
• DOI: 10.3390/sports4020023

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of mental imagery supplemented with video-modeling on self-efficacy and front squat strength (three repetition maximum; 3RM). Subjects (13 male, 7 female) who had at least 6 months of front squat experience were assigned to either an experimental ( = 10) or a control ( = 10) group. Subjects' 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were measured at baseline. Following this, subjects in the experimental group followed a structured imagery protocol, incorporating video recordings of both their own 3RM performance and a model lifter with excellent technique, twice a day for three days. Subjects in the control group spent the same amount of time viewing a placebo video. Following three days with no physical training, measurements of front squat 3RM and self-efficacy for the 3RM were repeated. Subjects in the experimental group increased in self-efficacy following the intervention, and showed greater 3RM improvement than those in the control group. Self-efficacy was found to significantly mediate the relationship between imagery and front squat 3RM. These findings point to the importance of mental skills training for the enhancement of self-efficacy and front squat performance.