The Effect of Mental Imagery with Positive Thinking on Bilateral Transmission of Forehand and Backhand Skills in Table Tennis Players

The present study tries to investigate the effect of mental imagery on learning and improvement of forehand and backhand skills of the better hand and then transmitting them to the weaker hand among table tennis players. In the present cross-sectional research, out of120 students, 45 students were selected in a randomized way. Then, they were randomly divided into three mental imagery, physical practice and mental-physical imagery groups. Mental imagery and mental-physical practice groups were then participated in a PETLEP mental imagery program for six weeks of three practice sessions. Study results revealed that mental imagery with positive thinking had significant effect on the improvement of forehand and backhand skills of the stronger hand. Furthermore, mental imagery accompanied by a positive thinking had a significant impact on the transmission of forehand and backhand skill to the weaker hand. On the other hand, the comparison of pre-test and post-test results of the mental-physical group and also the comparison of post-test results of the mental-physical group with that of mental imagery and physical practice groups showed that mental-physical imagery significantly affects forehand and backhand skills of the stronger hand, and also the transmission of forehand/backhand skills to the weaker hand. Comparing mental imagery and physical practice groups also reveals that the former significantly impacts the forehand/ backhand skills of the stronger hand, and also the transmission of forehand/backhand skills to the weaker hand.