Association Between Mental Imagery and Change of Direction Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players of Different Maturity Status

Abstract

Previous studies have not considered the potential influence of maturity status on the relationship between mental imagery and change of direction (CoD) speed in youth soccer. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study examined the association between mental imagery and CoD performance in young elite soccer players of different maturity status. Forty young male soccer players, aged 10-17 years, were assigned into two groups according to their predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) (Pre-PHV; n = 20 and Post-PHV; n = 20). Participants were evaluated on soccer-specific tests of CoD with (CoDBall-15m) and without (CoD-15m) the ball. Participants completed the movement imagery questionnaire (MIQ) with the three- dimensional structure, internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), as well as kinesthetic imagery (KI). The Post-PHV players achieved significantly better results than Pre-PHV in EVI (ES = 1.58, large; p < 0.001), CoD-15m (ES = 2.09, very large; p < 0.001) and CoDBall-15m (ES = 1.60, large; p < 0.001). Correlations were significantly different between maturity groups, where, for the pre-PHV group, a negative very large correlation was observed between CoDBall-15m and KI (r = –0.73, p = 0.001). For the post-PHV group, large negative correlations were observed between CoD-15m and IVI (r = –0.55, p = 0.011), EVI (r = –062, p = 0.003), and KI (r = –0.52, p = 0.020). A large negative correlation of CoDBall-15m with EVI (r = –0.55, p = 0.012) and very large correlation with KI (r = –0.79, p = 0.001) were also observed. This study provides evidence of the theoretical and practical use for the CoD tasks stimulus with imagery. We recommend that sport psychology specialists, coaches, and athletes integrated imagery for CoD tasks in pre-pubertal soccer players to further improve CoD related performance.

Effect of maturation level on normative specific-agility performance metrics and their fitness predictors in soccer players aged 11–18 years

“…Accordingly, several studies have found an association between physical abilities such as strength, speed, and agility performance [ 11 , 19 ]. Sariati et al [ 20 ] recently showed an association between mental imagery and changes in direction in a small sample of young soccer players using the same agility test achieved in the current investigation. Furthermore, morphological changes in the athlete’s body during puberty have been proven to influence muscle mass and muscular strength, such as in vertical jumps and sprints [ 21 ].…”

Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health

“…The effectiveness of imagery and how athletes use it are influenced by variables such as gender, skill type (open or closed), competitive level (elite vs. non-elite athletes), and types of sports (team sports vs. individual sports; contact vs. non-contact sports) [ 259 ]. Studies have found differing uses and capabilities in imagery among male and female athletes, as well as between elite and non-elite players, in various sports [ 261 , 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , 266 , 267 , 268 , 269 , 270 , 271 ].…”

The Relationship of Eye-foot Coordination with Football Skill: A Correlation Study in Young Football Player

“…Coordination is the ability to perform movements with various difficulty levels efficiently, quickly and with full accuracy [8]. Coordination is one of the most important components of physical condition and is needed in almost all sports, especially football.…”