Abstract:
The implementation of imagery and video feedback programs has become an important
tool for aiding athletes in achieving peak performance (Halliwell, 1990). The purpose of
the study was to determine the effect of strategic imagery training and video feedback on
immediate performance. Participants were two university goaltenders. An alternating
treatment design (ATD; Barlow & Hayes, 1979; Tawney & Gast, 1984) was employed.
The strategies were investigated using three plays originating from the right side by a
right-handed shooting defenceman from the blueline. The baseline condition consisted of
six practices and was used to establish a stable and "ideal" measure of performance. The
intervention conditions included alternating the use of strategic imagery (Cognitive
general; Paivio, 1985) and video feedback. Both participants demonstrated an increase in
the frequency of Cognitive general use. Specific and global performance measures were
assessed to determine the relative effectiveness of the interventions. Poor inter-rater
reliability resulted in the elimination of specific performance measures. Consequently,
only the global measure (i.e., save percentage) was used in subsequent analyses. Visual
inspection of participant save percentage was conducted to determine the benefits of the
intervention. Strategic imagery training resulted in performance improvements for both
participants. Video feedback facilitated performance for Participant 2, but not Participant
1. Results are discussed with respect to imagery and video interventions and the
challenges associated with applied research.
KEYWORDS: imagery, video, goaltenders, alternating treatment design.
