Effect of mental imagery training on the selected psycho- motor abilities and counter-attack performance of male taekwondo players

Abstract

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the effect of Mental Imagery Training on the selected psycho-motor abilities namely attention, kinesthetic perception and counter-attack performance of male taekwondo players.Method: 38 male taekwondo players from Delhi in the age group of 17- 21 years underwent mental imagery training of 20 minutes, thrice a week for six weeks. All the subjects selected were administered Attention Grid Test (Harris & Harris (1984)), Horizontal Space Test, and Counter Attack test for measuring Attention, Kinesthetic Perception and counter-attack performance. All the tests were administered twice i.e. before and after the six weeks of mental imagery training. Mean, Standard Deviation, Percentage Change and Paired Sample ‘t’- test were used as a statistical procedure for analyzing the data. Results: The results of the study revealed a significant improvement in attention (39.97%), kinesthetic perception (28.66%) and counter-attack execution (48.35%) of taekwondo players as the paired t’ values obtained were 15.076, 12.089, and 8.135 at p≤ 0.001. Conclusion: It was concluded that mental imagery training should be included in taekwondo trainings as it is an effective training technique to improve the psycho-motor abilities of the taekwondo players.