The Effects of Goal-Setting and Imagery Training Programs on the Free-Throw Performance of Female Collegiate Basketball Players

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of goal-setting and imagery programs, as well as a combined goal-setting and imagery training program, on the free-throw performance among female collegiate basketball players over the course of an entire season. A multiple-baseline, single-subject A-B-A design was employed in which participants were randomly assigned to one of three interventions: (a) goal-setting (n = 4), (b) imagery (n = 4), or (c) goal-setting and imagery (n = 4). Free-throw data were collected during practice sessions. Data were examined by way of changes in mean, level, trend, latency, and variability between baseline and intervention, and then between intervention and a second baseline phase. Three participants in the goal-setting program, and one participant in the goal-setting and imagery program, increased their mean free-throw performance from baseline to intervention. However, three participants in the imagery program decreased their mean free-throw performance from baseline to intervention. Goal discrepancy scores also were investigated. A positive correlation was found between participants’ free-throw performance and personal goals.

A review of behavioral interventions to enhance sports performance

“…Very few articles reported partially negative results regarding the intervention. For example, Lerner et al (1996) found that only goal setting produced improvements in basketball free-throw shooting for most subjects instead of the package intervention of goal setting and self-imagery. In fact, the additional procedure of self-imagery actually diminished behavioral improvement.…”

“…Discrimination training refers to learning to engage in specific behavior in the presence of appropriate discriminative stimuli (e.g., swing a bat in a precise way when a baseball is thrown to spin at a certain rate). (Heward, 1978) Improve curveball hitting performance Discrimination training by cue fading (Osborne, Rudrud, & Zezoney, 1990) Decrease response to negative thoughts to improve overall baseball performance Acceptance and commitment therapy (Little & Simpson, 2000) Basketball Increase foul shooting percentage Relaxation training, self-imagery, video modeling (Hall & Erffmeyer, 1983) Improve shot form Instruction, verbal feedback, video modeling, video feedback, expert modeling (Aiken, Fairbrother, & Post, 2012) Improve foul shooting accuracy Relaxation techniques, self-talk (Hamilton & Fremouw, 1985) Improve foul shooting accuracy Relaxation techniques, self-imagery (Kearns & Crossman, 1992) Improve foul shooting accuracy Goal setting, self-imagery (Lerner, Ostrow, Yura, & Etzel, 1996) Improve overall field-goal percentage Relaxation techniques, self-imagery, video highlights with inspirational music (Templin & Vernacchia, 1995) Decrease fouls, increase "assertiveness"…”

“…Self-imagery (Komaki & Barnett, 1977) x x x (Koop & Martin, 1983) x x x x (Lambert et al, 2016) x x x x (Lerner et al, 1996) x x (Luyben et al, 1986) x x x x (Magill & Schoenfelder-Zohdi, 1996) x x x x (Maryam et al, 2009) x x (Mellalieu et al, 2006) x (Ming & Martin, 1996) x x x (O'Brien & Simek, 1983) x x x (Patrick & Hrycaiko, 1998) x x x x (Post et al, 2016) x x x x x (Rikli & Smith, 1980) x x (Rogers et al, 2010) x x (Rush & Ayllon, 1984) x x x x (Rushall & Smith, 1979) x x (Scott et al, 1997) x x (Scott et al, 1999) x (Sewal et al, 1988) x (Shapiro & Shapiro, 1985) x x x x (Continues)…”

“…+ means that simulated practice was also used. (Christina et al, 1990) x (Fery & Ponserre, 2001) x (Fitterling & Ayllon, 1983) x x x x x x (Hall & Erffmeyer, 1983) x x x (Hamilton & Fremouw, 1985) x x (Haskins, 1965) x (Hazen et al, 1990) x x x x x (Kearns & Crossman, 1992) x x (Kendall et al, 1990) x x x (Kirschenbaum et al, 1998) x x (Landin & hebert, 1999) x (Lerner et al, 1996) x x (Little & Simpson, 2000) + (Ming & Martin, 1996) x x (Osborne et al, 1990) % (Palmer, 1992) x (Continues) (Rogerson & Hrycaiko, 2002) x (Rush & Ayllon, 1984) x…”

Rutines gestuals i estratègies psicològiques per la millora del rendiment dels llançaments lliures de bàsquet

“…Podem anomenar per exemple, l'estudi realitzat per Lerner (1995) com a treball que conclou que la pràctica imaginada no comporta tants beneficis. L'autor pretén trobar quina és la millor forma de procedir per a augmentar el rendiment dels llançaments lliures en bàsquet.…”