The Effects of Multiple Object Tracking And Mental Imagery On Tennis Performance

This study investigated the effects of short‐term multiple object tracking and mentalimagery training on tennis performance, executive functions, anxiety, andpsychophysiological responses in university students participating in an elective tenniscourse. The study used a three‐group, pre‐test/post‐test design. Following an initialassessment period, participants were allocated to one of three groups based on theirbaseline tennis performance: a multiple object tracking group, a mental imagery group, ora control group.All participants participated in their regular tennis course. In addition, participantsassigned to the multiple object tracking group received computerized multiple objecttracking training, while participants in the mental imagery group completed a structuredmental imagery training program. The control group continued their regular tennis coursewithout receiving either additional training program.The study included assessments of tennis performance, imagery ability, cognitive control,working memory, anxiety, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity.Psychophysiological measures were collected both at rest and during executive functionassessment. Pre‐test assessments were conducted before the experimental training, and thesame outcome assessments were repeated following completion of the training period.The study was designed to examine whether brief cognitive training approaches,specifically multiple object tracking and mental imagery, could produce changes in tennisperformance and related cognitive, psychological, and psychophysiological responses.