Effects of motor imagery training on service return accuracy in tennis: The role of imagery ability

Abstract This study examined how imagery ability could affect motor improvement following motor imagery training in tennis. Skilled tennis players were divided into 3 groups with regard to their MIQ scores (good imager, poor imager, and control group). During a pre‐test, participants physically performed 15 service returns toward a target. The motor imagery training period was included during physical training for 15 sessions, and each session consisted of 2 series of 15 imagined trials and 15 physical trials. Some of the participants were required to use internal visual imagery (good and poor imager groups) while others were given a reading task (control group). Finally, 48 hours after the last training session, participants were submitted to a post‐test similar to the pre‐test. Results indicated that motor imagery improved service return, and that this improvement was better in good imagers than in poor imagers. The impact of motor imagery practice on motor performance, for skilled tennis players, is discussed.