The effect of action observation and motor imagery on jumping performance and perceived performance

Evidence in the literature suggests that the effect of action observation(AO) will increase when combined with motor imagery (MI). Based on this suggestion, research employing AOMI method, which includes the imagery intervention, is expected to affect the performance in sports domain. The aim of this research is to examine the effect of motor imagery combined with action observation on the performance and performance perception of athletes. To this end, the research was designed in the pre-test post-test model with a factorial design. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Participants receiving imagery intervention were assigned into the experimental group and those who did not receive the imagery intervention were allocated into the control group. A pre-research power analysis was performed to estimate the required sample size, and as a result, 21 people (10 male) included in the data voluntarily participated in the research. Squat jump and counter movement jump performance measurements were recorded using the Opto Jump device. In addition, participants were instructed to predict personal performance, asking how high they jumped after one practice of motor imagery and action observation. Following the measurements, the experimental group was enrolled in the 8-week AOMI intervention program. Participants received motor imagery intervention during video observation, which lasted 24 minutes for 3 days each week. Post-test measurements were recorded following the completion of the AOMI intervention. The results showed that there was no statistically significant increase in performance after receiving the intervention program in the experimental. Additionally, the experimental group reported higher performance estimation scores from pre to post-test after video observation but not in the single motor imagery performance estimation, However, this was not observed in the control group. Consequently AOMI intervention did not increase the physical performance yet it could be effective tool to boost perception of the athletes toward their personal performance. The results are discussed within the framework of the relevant literature.