The Effects of an Imagery Rehearsal, Relaxation, and Self-Talk Package on Basketball Game Performance

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of an imagery rehearsal, relaxation, and self-talk package on the performance of a specific defensive basketball skill during competition. Subjects were four female intercollegiate basketball players. A single-subject multiple-baseline-across-individuals design was employed to evaluate the intervention package. The intervention was clearly effective in enhancing a basketball skill during games, and social validity measures were very positive. The need for further research in this area is discussed.

Horseshoe pitchers’ hot hands

“…In an arm wrestling study (Nelson & Furst, 1972), the weaker subjects won 10 of 12 matches when both contestants incorrectly believed the weaker person to be stronger than his opponent; when the contestants correctly identified the weaker contestant, the stronger subjects won all 12 matches. Other studies have shown that positive self-talk improves the performance of basketball players (Kendall, Hrycaiko, Martin, & Kendall, 1990), skiers (Rushall, Hall, Roux, Sasseville, & Rushall, 1988), and swimmers (Rushall & Shewchuk, 1989). It is plausible that the positive reinforcement provided by an athlete's success increases self-efficacy and, thereby, enhances performance.…”

Self-Talk and Female Youth Soccer Performance

“…These real life competitive athletic situations interest coaches and athletes the most (Kendall et al, 1990) Palmer;1992 …”

Avaliação da eficácia de um programa de treino de visualização mental num escalão de formação desportiva no basquetebol

“…No entanto, os resultados dos estudos nem sempre têm possibilitado conclusões consistentes, existindo autores que colocam algumas dúvidas quanto à eficácia das estratégias utilizadas e às dimensões da VM a utilizar (ver Lamirand & Rainey, 1994;Savoy & Beitel, 1996;Templin & Vernacchia, 1995), enquanto outros têm vindo a afirmar o peso do treino mental (e da VM) na melhoria das capacidades motoras dos atletas e do rendimento desportivo (ver Kendall et al, 1990;Shambrook & Bull, 1996;Suedfeld & Bruno, 1990;Wollman, 1986). O presente estudo procura ajudar a esclarecer o primeiro tipo de discrepâncias, observando a possibilidade dos atletas incorporarem nas suas rotinas mentais a VM e quais os domínios que poderão beneficiar particularmente com o treino desta competência psicológica.…”