Perceptual training in soccer: An imagery intervention study with elite players

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an ecological imagery intervention program would affect perception (i.e., exploratory activity and prospective control of future actions) in three elite soccer players. The imagery was adjusted to the unique action opportunities typically experienced by each player in games. A single case, multiple baseline across participants design was implemented and close-up video analyses were conducted from a series of league games. Post-intervention questionnaires and interviews were also carried out to support the video analyses. Two of the participants appeared to increase their visual exploratory activity, but only one of the participants marginally improved his performance with the ball. It was concluded that elite players can improve components of perception through ecological imagery training, but it is questionable to what extent this leads to improved prospective control of actions. It is recommended that future imagery and/or perceptual training research addresses specific types of actions more directly.