Motor Imagery Training and Shooting Performance in Adolescent Basketball Players

NCT07798843 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026/176/6/23
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of an eight-week motor imagery training program on shooting performance in adolescent basketball players under single-task and cognitive-motor dual-task conditions. Thirty male basketball players aged 15-17 years were randomly assigned to either a motor imagery group or a control group. Both groups continued their routine basketball training, while the motor imagery group additionally completed a structured PETTLEP-based motor imagery program three times per week for eight weeks. Two-point and three-point shooting performance was assessed before and after the intervention under both single-task and cognitive-motor dual-task conditions. The study aimed to determine whether adding motor imagery training to routine basketball training improves shooting performance and the ability to maintain shooting performance while simultaneously performing a cognitive task.

Conditions

Basketball Shooting Performance; Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Performance; Motor Imagery

Keywords

Motor Imagery; Basketball; Adolescent Athletes; Cognitive-Motor Dual Task; Shooting Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Two-Point Shooting Performance

  Two-point shooting performance was assessed using the basketball-specific shooting test described by Pojskic et al. (2011). Participants moved between six designated two-point shooting positions and attempted shots after receiving a pass. The test lasted 60 seconds, and the total number of successful two-point shots was recorded as the performance score. The test was performed three times with full recovery between trials, and the best score was used for analysis. Higher scores indicate better shooting performance.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Three-Point Shooting Performance

  Three-point shooting performance was assessed using the basketball-specific shooting test described by Pojskic et al. (2011). Participants moved between six designated three-point shooting positions and attempted shots after receiving a pass. The test lasted 60 seconds, and the total number of successful three-point shots was recorded as the performance score. The test was performed three times with full recovery between trials, and the best score was used for analysis. Higher scores indicate better shooting performance.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Two-Point Shooting Performance Under Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Conditions

  Two-point shooting performance under cognitive-motor dual-task conditions was assessed while participants performed the standard two-point shooting test concurrently with a verbal cognitive task. The test lasted 60 seconds, and the total number of successful two-point shots was recorded as the performance score. Cognitive-task accuracy and number of responses were not assessed; therefore, dual-task performance was evaluated based solely on shooting performance under concurrent cognitive load. Higher scores indicate better shooting performance under dual-task conditions.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

• Three-Point Shooting Performance Under Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Conditions

  Three-point shooting performance under cognitive-motor dual-task conditions was assessed while participants performed the standard three-point shooting test concurrently with a verbal cognitive task. The test lasted 60 seconds, and the total number of successful three-point shots was recorded as the performance score. Cognitive-task accuracy and number of responses were not assessed; therefore, dual-task performance was evaluated based solely on shooting performance under concurrent cognitive load. Higher scores indicate better shooting performance under dual-task conditions.

  Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Motor Imagery Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm continued their routine basketball training and additionally completed a structured PETTLEP-based motor imagery training program three times per week for eight weeks. Each motor imagery session lasted approximately 20-30 minutes and was performed before routine basketball training. The imagery exercises emphasized an internal visual perspective and kinesthetic sensations related to basketball shooting performance.

Behavioral: PETTLEP-Based Motor Imagery Training

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm continued their routine basketball training throughout the eight-week study period and did not receive any additional motor imagery intervention.

Interventions

PETTLEP-Based Motor Imagery Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed a structured PETTLEP-based motor imagery training program three times per week for eight weeks, in addition to their routine basketball training. Each session lasted approximately 20-30 minutes and was performed before routine basketball training. The program was structured according to the PETTLEP model (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, and Perspective) and adapted to basketball shooting. Participants predominantly used an internal visual perspective and were instructed to imagine kinesthetic sensations associated with shooting, including ball release, wrist movement, jumping, balance, and the ball entering the basket.

Motor Imagery Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male basketball players aged 15-17 years.
• Regular participation in basketball training.
• Voluntary participation in the study.
• Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and assent from the participant.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a musculoskeletal injury or health condition that could prevent participation in basketball training or performance testing.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uludag University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bursa Uludag University

Bursa, 16000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Sadettin Erol, PhD

  Uludag University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MsC

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a motor imagery group or a control group. Both groups continued their routine basketball training throughout the eight-week study period, while the motor imagery group additionally received PETTLEP-based motor imagery training three times per week.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2026
• First Posted: September 1, 2026
• Study Start: April 25, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 20, 2026
• Study Completion: June 20, 2026
• Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

TU (1)