The Effects of Multiple Object Tracking And Mental Imagery On Tennis Performance, Executive Functions, Anxiety, And Psychophysiological Variables
The Effects of Multiple Object Tracking And Mental Imagery On Tennis Performance, Executive Functions, Anxiety, And Psychophysiological Variables
The goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate whether multiple object tracking and mental imagery training affect tennis performance, executive functions, anxiety, and psychophysiological variables in university students enrolled in an elective tennis course. The main questions it aimed to answer were:
Do multiple object tracking and mental imagery training improve tennis performance? Do multiple object tracking and mental imagery training affect executive functions, anxiety, and psychophysiological responses?
Researchers compared participants who received multiple object tracking training or mental imagery training with a control group that continued their regular tennis classes without additional training.
Participants:
Completed a pre-test assessment of tennis performance, imagery ability, executive functions, anxiety, and psychophysiological variables.
Were assigned to a multiple object tracking, mental imagery, or control group based on their tennis performance scores.
Completed multiple object tracking or mental imagery training for five consecutive days over one week in addition to their regular tennis classes.
Completed post-test assessments using tennis performance, cognitive, anxiety, and psychophysiological measures.
This study investigated the effects of short-term multiple object tracking and mental imagery training on tennis performance, executive functions, anxiety, and psychophysiological responses in university students participating in an elective tennis course. The study used a three-group, pre-test/post-test design. Following an initial assessment period, participants were allocated to one of three groups based on their baseline tennis performance: a multiple object tracking group, a mental imagery group, or a control group.
All participants participated in their regular tennis course. In addition, participants assigned to the multiple object tracking group received computerized multiple object tracking training, while participants in the mental imagery group completed a structured mental imagery training program. The control group continued their regular tennis course without receiving either additional training program.
The study included assessments of tennis performance, imagery ability, cognitive control, working memory, anxiety, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity. Psychophysiological measures were collected both at rest and during executive function assessment. Pre-test assessments were conducted before the experimental training, and the same outcome assessments were repeated following completion of the training period.
The study was designed to examine whether brief cognitive training approaches, specifically multiple object tracking and mental imagery, could produce changes in tennis performance and related cognitive, psychological, and psychophysiological responses.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: