Abstract
Imagery training, specifically visual and kinesthetic imagery training, is a well-established method of increasing performance in sport. However, some athletes may have impoverished imagery abilities (e.g., aphantasia; low visual imagery) which may hinder performance increments that benefit others. We administered the Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire (Psi-Q) which tests multisensory imagery, to 329 participants from nine different sports across two levels: semiprofessional and professional. This formed the baseline test, finding no significant differences between sport or level for imagery ability. The Psi-Q located 27 low imagers (mean total scores <4.2/10), including seven non-visual imagers, three non-auditory, seven non-olfactory, and five non-gustatory imagers, and one across all senses. We split the sample randomly into two groups and immediately delivered the imagery intervention, Functional Imagery Training (FIT) to the first group (over two weeks), followed by delivering the same intervention to the wait group. A wait period was due to the lengthy delivery time of the personalized intervention. Both groups received the intervention for the same duration ending in a Psi-Q retest after the intervention. In both groups, FIT increased overall imagery scores which was maintained six months after intervention completion. This indicates that imagery can be trained and maintained in those with a low ability. Follow up interviews (n 22) explored how imagery was being used beyond the intervention, revealing that the majority now use imagery to plan and manage thinking. Recommendations are given for ways to train imagery in an applied sport setting and future research in broader areas is detailed.
What This Study Is About
Researchers wanted to know if athletes who struggle to "see" things in their mind can still learn to use mental imagery to improve their performance. They tested whether a specific training program could help "low imagers" develop their mental senses.
How They Studied It
The researchers started by testing 329 athletes from nine different sports (like rugby, swimming, and fencing). They used a questionnaire to measure mental imagery—the ability to imagine sights, sounds, smells, and feelings in your mind.
They identified 27 athletes with very low imagery scores. This group included people with aphantasia (the inability to visualize or "see" pictures in the mind). These athletes took part in a two-week program called Functional Imagery Training (FIT), which is like a guided workout for the imagination that uses all the senses to help reach goals.
What They Found
The training worked! Even the athletes who started with almost no mental "pictures" saw their imagery scores improve significantly. Most importantly, these improvements lasted for at least six months.
The researchers also found that professional athletes were 50% less likely to have low imagery than semi-professionals. This suggests that having a vivid "mind's eye" might be a common trait among the world's best athletes, helping them plan their moves and stay focused.
What This Might Mean
This research suggests that the imagination is a bit like a muscle—even if it feels weak or non-existent, it can be strengthened with the right exercises. It shows that people with aphantasia aren't "locked out" of mental training; they might just need a different approach that uses all their senses, like sound or touch, to build a mental routine.
However, we should be cautious: this was a small study with only 27 people in the training group. While the results are exciting, we need more research to prove exactly how much this training actually improves sports scores on the field.
One Interesting Detail
One athlete described how they used a physical "trigger"—wiping their hands on their shorts—to start a mental "video" of their game plan. It’s like hitting the "play" button on a mental movie to help them feel in control!