Imagining flying increases jumping performance in volleyball players: A pilot study

Objective: The study aimed to examine the effect of mental imagery on sports performance. Specifically, it was tested whether imagining flying (i.e., air travel) increases jumping performance in a group of female volleyball players. Methods: The study included 46 female young athletes (mean age = 15.23 years; standard deviation = 2.4) divided into two groups: the experimental group viewed a three-dimensional video that simulated a flying experience, while the control group watched neutral footage. The jump performance of both groups was measured before and after viewing the videos, using the Vertec Like (R) instrument to assess jump height. Participants were assessed for their flow disposition, mental imagery skills, and image vividness. Results: Comparing pre-post jump performance scores, the experimental group showed a significant improvement over the control group, with a medium-large effect size (d = 0.634). There was no significant association between flow disposition, mental imagery skills, image vividness, and pre-post jumping performance differences (respectively: beta = -0.107, p = .484; beta = -0.008, p = .957; beta = 0.024, p = .913). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the experience of imagining flying, enhanced with an immersive video, has a positive effect on jumping performance in a one-session study with young female volleyball players. This effect does not appear to be associated with pre-existing characteristics or the vividness of the image itself.