Adolescent, Soccer Performance, Psychological Phenomena and Processes, Imagery, Psychotherapy
Conditions
Keywords
Guided Imagery, Mental Training, Shooting Accuracy, Sport Imagery, Psychological Skills, Youth Athletes, Football (Soccer), Performance
Brief summary
This study is designed to examine whether guided imagery training can improve football shooting performance and psychological skills in young athletes. Thirty-two male players aged 12-14 years will be randomly assigned to an imagery training group or a control group. The imagery group will receive guided mental training sessions after each regular football practice for 12 weeks, while the control group will participate only in standard training. The primary outcome will be shooting accuracy at 10 and 15 meters, and the secondary outcome will be imagery ability assessed with a validated questionnaire.
Detailed description
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of a structured guided imagery program on shooting accuracy and sport-specific psychological abilities in adolescent football players. A total of 32 licensed male players, aged between 12 and 14 years, will be recruited from a local sports club and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive guided imagery sessions of 15 minutes following each of their three weekly football practices, over a total period of 12 weeks (36 sessions). These sessions will include relaxation, visualization of technical movements, and reinforcement of confidence and motivation. The control group will continue with standard technical training and will participate in short team meetings to match the contact time. The primary outcome will be shooting accuracy, evaluated with a standardized shooting accuracy test at distances of 10 and 15 meters. The secondary outcome will be imagery ability, measured using the Sport Imagery Questionnaire for Children (SIQ-C). The study design is a single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute of Social Sciences Ethics Committee at Çağ University (Approval No. 350-50, January 10, 2020). All participants and their parents will provide written informed consent before the trial.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGuided Imagery Training
Participants received guided imagery sessions of 15 minutes after each football training, three times per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions). Sessions included relaxation, visualization of technical movements, and reinforcement of motivation and confidence.
BEHAVIORALStandard Football Training
Participants received only regular football training three times per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions). Each session lasted 60 minutes and focused on technical skills. To match contact time, a 15-minute team evaluation meeting was held after each practice.
Sponsors
Merve Burcu Güler
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Since participants and providers were aware of group allocation, the study was conducted as open label. However, statistical analyses were performed by an independent researcher blinded to group assignment.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received guided imagery training in addition to standard football practice, while the control group received standard football training only. Both groups trained in parallel over a 12-week period, with outcomes assessed before and after the intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
12 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male adolescent football players * Age between 12 and 14 years * Licensed players of Yozgat Municipality Bozok Sports Club * Regular attendance at training sessions * Written informed consent obtained from both player and parent/guardian
Exclusion criteria
* Withdrawal of consent at any time * Health problems arising during the intervention that prevent participation * Irregular or insufficient attendance at training sessions * Female athletes (not available in this age category at the club)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting Accuracy Test (10 m and 15 m) | Baseline and 12 weeks (post-intervention). | Change in football shooting accuracy measured with a standardized Shooting Accuracy Test at baseline and after 12 weeks. Players performed 10 shots with their dominant foot at distances of 10 m and 15 m, and the number of successful hits was recorded. Higher values indicate better shooting accuracy. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Imagery Questionnaire for Children (SIQ-C) Total and Subscale Scores | Baseline and 12 weeks (post-intervention). | Change in total score and subscales (Specific Cognitive-Motivational, General Cognitive, and General Motivational-Mastery) of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire for Children (SIQ-C), a validated 21-item self-report questionnaire assessing imagery ability in children and adolescents. Each item is rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 5, resulting in total scores ranging from 21 to 105. Higher scores indicate greater imagery ability. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed