Mental Imagery and Mental Training: A Study Relating to the Effects of Mental Imagery and Mental Training on High School Student-Athletes at a Midsize High School in Baltimore County, Maryland

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of mental imagery and mental training on 20 high school cross country runners at a midsize high school in Baltimore County, Maryland. A one group pretest-posttest design was used and found that certain aspects of confidence and preparedness improved by mental imagery and mental training. A self-evaluation questionnaire that measured cognitive state anxiety, somatic state anxiety, and confidence was used to reveal that one of the three categories improved after mental imagery and mental training sessions. The runners somatic state anxiety increased over the course of the study revealing a stronger sense of confidence and preparedness following the mental imagery and mental training sessions. Cognitive state anxiety and confidence had minimal change through the study that had no positive or negative effect.