THE INFLUENCE OF IMAGERY ON ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AMONG ATHLETES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of imagery on the athletic performance among athletes of the University of Benin. It sought to establish the relationship between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes; difference between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes based on gender; and difference between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes based on age. To guide the study, three (3) research questions were raised with corresponding hypotheses, tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population of the study was made up of 244 student athletes. A sample size of 124 student athletes were selected from the population using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. It was used by stratifying UNIBEN into fourteen (14) strata based on its sports demarcation. Thereafter, the proportionate sampling technique was used to select student athletes from each sports to give 124. The research instrument for the study was a questionnaire titled: “Influence of Imagery on Athletic Performance Questionnaire (IIAPQ)”. The statistical analysis was carried out using percentages, Pearson product moment correlation statistics, and ANCOVA. The findings of this research based on the research questions raised and corresponding hypotheses tested showed the following: there was a positive weak relationship between mental imagery and sports performance; there was a significant relationship between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes of University of Benin; there was no significant difference between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes of University of Benin based on gender; and there was a significant difference between mental imagery and sports performance of athletes of viii University of Benin based on age. It was concluded that there was a relationship between mental imagery and sports performance and as such, with the use of imagery by athletes, they would make fast success and become the best they can be. Also, effective use of mental imagery resulting in excellent sports performance does not depend on athletes gender. It was recommended that athletes should endeavor using mental imagery when participating in sporting activity as it can enhance their sports performance irrespective of their gender.