The effect of imagery and relaxation/imagery training on rugby players' self-efficacy, anxiety and performance in tackling

Abstract

Volunteer male rugby players (n=30) were assigned to one of three conditions: Relaxation and imagery training, imagery only training or a control group. The subjects were required to complete self-efficacy and state anxiety questionnaires, prior to and on the completion of imagery training. When the intervention was completed all subjects were required to perform three front-on tackles. The subjects were subsequently rated on their tackling performances. Both imagery training groups had significantly higher self-efficacy and expert rated performance when compared to the control group. There was no significant differences found between the three groups in anxiety or self-rated performance. The two treatment groups did not differ significantly in any of the dependent measures. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and performance and a significant negative correlation was found between anxiety and performance. However, no significant inverse relationship was found between anxiety and performance. These results provide support to the possible merits of imagery training and provide partial support to Bandura's (1977a) theoretical model of self-efficacy. Pratical implications and directions for future research are discussed.