An examination of data supporting hypothesized mediational pathways underlying the relationship between mental imagery and motor skill performance: A meta-analysis

Most sport psychologists have integrated mental imagery practice in their arsenal of cognitive strategies to enhance motor skill performance among athletes, however variable its influence. The variability of motor behavior seen when practicing mental imagery has evaded solid scientific explanation. Alternative interpretations abound with every experimental investigation realised. The present study was conducted to provide an explanation as to the mechanism in play that accounts for this variability in motor skill performance and show how mental imagery practice works. The primary method of this research was to synthesize pertinent mental imagery practice studies, used then to validate a set of model study relationships showing the mediational role of psychological variables. From an initial search of 2,160 primary studies from the literature, experimental primary studies including an implication of a mental imagery practice, a motor skill performance intent, and at least one measure of the following three psychological variables, arousal, state-anxiety and self-confidence, 47 primary studies were extracted. Using the format of a series of meta-analyses to integrate data points common in part or in whole from the 47 primary studies, converted to a total of 227 effect magnitudes (EM) and based on Paivio's Analytical Framework, the mediational model study relationships were tested The results showed that 9 of the 10 model study relationship main effects were significant at .01. All of the model study relationships showed significant heterogeneity. Where data permitted, moderator subgroup multivariate analyses were conducted and a portion of the heterogeneity in 6 of the 9 significant study relationships was accounted for. Thus, in conclusion, the findings strongly suggest that mental imagery practice effects are mediated by the motivational variables arousal, state-anxiety and self-confidence, but the unexplained heterogeneity in the EM prevents further conclusions with any certainty. The results of the present study suggest however that Paivio's Analytical Framework offers a viable explanation at the motivational level of the mechanism at play as to how an individual does enhance his motor skill performance when he practices mental imagery.