title: Use of video observation and motor imagery on jumping performance in national rhythmic gymnastics athletes.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a mental training protocol could improve gymnastic jumping performance. Seventy-two rhythmic gymnasts were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. At baseline, experimental group completed the Movement Imagery Questionnaire Revised (MIQ-R) to assess the gymnast ability to generate movement imagery. A repeated measures design was used to compare two different types of training aimed at improving jumping performance: (a) video observation and PETTLEP mental training associated with physical practice, for the experimental group, and (b) physical practice alone for the control group. Before and after six weeks of training, their jumping performance was measured using the Hopping Test (HT), Drop Jump (DJ), and Counter Movement Jump (CMJ). Results revealed differences between jumping parameters F(1,71)=11.957; p<.01, and between groups F(1,71)=10.620; p<.01. In the experimental group there were significant correlations between imagery ability and the post-training Flight Time of the HT, r(34)=-.295, p<.05 and the DJ, r(34)=-.297, p<.05. The application of the protocol described herein was shown to improve jumping performance, thereby preserving the elite athlete's energy for other tasks.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Artibale
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiorilli
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsopani
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Arrigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giombini
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calcagno
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy; University of Hawaii, United States; University of Molise, Italy; University of Florence, Italy. Electronic address: alessandra.dicagno@unimol.it.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: di Cagno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055070:Resistance Training; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Enhancement; Gymnasts; Leg; Modeling; PETTLEP; Performance; Reactivity; Strength