Volume 29, Issue 4, 2020
DOI: 10.53555/03276716.2020.913
The Impact of Mental Imagery and Goal Setting on Athletic Performance and Psychological Resilience in Competitive Sports
Abstract
This study explores the effects of mental imagery and goal-setting techniques on athletic performance and psychological resilience among competitive athletes. A sample of 60 state-level athletes was divided into experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The experimental group received a six-week intervention comprising guided mental imagery and SMART goal-setting sessions. Pre- and post-test assessments using performance metrics and standardized psychological resilience scales revealed significant improvements in the experimental group (p < .01). The findings underscore the efficacy of psychological interventions in enhancing both mental toughness and performance, offering valuable implications for coaches and sport psychologists.
Keywords
mental imagery, goal setting, sports psychology, psychological resilience, performance enhancement