Term of Award

Fall 2021

Degree Name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (M.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology

Committee Chair

Brandonn Harris

Committee Member 1

Megan Byrd

Committee Member 2

Stephen Rossi

Abstract

Research suggests that imagery can reduce reaction time (Alikhani et al., 2001; Grouios, 1992; Hanshaw & Sukal, 2016; Iftikhar et al., 2018; Shanks & Cameron, 2000). Previous studies examining the imagery and reaction time relationship have almost exclusively focused on motor imagery. Additionally, a recent study by McNeil and colleagues (2019) concluded that imagery training improved decision time variables, but not overall reactive agility. Individuals may not be able to generate unpredictable stimuli during imagery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of motivational general-mastery (MG-M) imagery on reaction time and heart rate. Reaction time was measured using the Dynavision D2 visuomotor training device. It was hypothesized that the use of an MG-M imagery intervention will significantly increase reaction time and the number of hits during testing, and participants in the MG-M imagery group would have a lower heart rate range from beginning to end of test. A within-subjects and between-subjects pre-posttreatment design was implemented. Participants were 9 NCAA Division I student-athletes. The effectiveness of the imagery intervention on reaction time, number of hits, and heart rate range was assessed using nonparametric Wilcoxon-Signed rank tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant effect observed for reaction time, number of hits, or heart rate. Results suggest that MG-M imagery does not allow participants to react quicker to unpredictable stimuli, as participants could not generate unpredictable stimuli during imagery.

OCLC Number

1288153319

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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