Enhancing forehand acquisition in table tennis: The role of mental practice.
Abstract
The goal of the present study was to determine whether mental practice is an effective preparation for performing a forehand task in table tennis and whether mental practice is more effective with an external focus on the movement technique. Attentional focus studies suggest that when acquiring a goal-directed task involving the wielding of an implement, mental practice should be focused on an external effect of the movement directly related to the movement technique (e.g., the trajectory of the racket) rather than on a more distant effect, such as the anticipated trajectory of the ball. Results showed that the mental practice group that focused on the trajectory of the racket was more effective than the control group receiving the same scripts but not benefiting from a previous phase of mental practice. Also, mental practice on the trajectory of the racket was more effective than mental practice on the trajectory of the ball.
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Imagery can support faster learning of new skills, increase motivation, and confidence.
“Imagery can support faster learning of new skills (Caliari, 2008), increase motivation (Hausenblas et al., 1999), and confidence (Callow and Waters, 2005).”
From Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Psychological Skills Training (PST): a case study (2025) · cites this paper as Caliari, 2008
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Title Mental imagery, action observation and skill learning
Holmes, P. S. (2015)
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- Authors
- Caliari, P.
- Affiliations
- Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (GP)
- Corresponding author
- Caliari, Peddy
- ORCID
- Caliari, Peddy
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-01-28
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 88-96
- ISSN
- 1041-3200 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-1571
- OpenAlex
- W2085212151
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Sports and Physical Education Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Keywords
- mental practice, table tennis, forehand stroke, motor skill learning, attentional focus, external focus, ball trajectory, movement technique
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