The Effects of Computer-Based and Motor-Imagery Training on Scoring Ability in Lacrosse

Abstract

Previous studies have confirmed that the temporal attentional control created by the repetition of stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) tasks was transferred to shooting skills in lacrosse players. In the current study, we investigated whether combining motor imagery training with SRC tasks could enhance the scoring ability of lacrosse players. We grouped 33 male lacrosse players into three groups: an SRC task and motor imagery group (referred as to SRC + Image), an SRC task group, and a control group. Players in the first two groups underwent five sessions of 200 SRC task trials. In addition, the SRC + Image group completed five sessions of motor-imagery training. The control group underwent no training interventions. All three groups performed a lacrosse shooting test and a Simon task before and after training sessions to assess the magnitude of the interference effects of the various types of training they underwent. The results of the Simon task showed that repetition of 1,000 trials was enough to create a short-term representation with the incompatible special mapping being transferred to a dynamic activity like lacrosse shooting. Moreover, a combination of a computerbased Type 2 task and motor-imagery training could effectively increase players' scoring abilities in a field of large spatial conflict.

A Review of Studies on The Effects of Imagery Training on Sports Performance

“…In addition, the representation training will adjust the attention allocation of athletes in the competition. Lacrosse players can improve their scoring ability after receiving the representation training task stimulation, but there are still some differences between individual athletes, which may have some relationship with their own representation ability [30]. Neural evidence suggests that imagery training improves cortical activity, which is a manifestation of concentration and mental effort during the representation, and then reaches a specific mental state [31].…”