The Effect of Motor Imagery Practice on Elevé Performance in Adolescent Female Dance Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Motor imagery practice (MIP) is the process of mentally rehearsing motor imagery (MI) contents with the goal of improving motor performance. The potential of MIP in providing motor and non-motor benefits to dancers has not been thoroughly investigated to-date. This study investigated the feasibility of delivering a 6-week MIP intervention for adolescent female dance students and its effect on performance of repeated and static elevé. Participants’ imagery ability and self-reported views and attitudes toward MIP were also investigated. Data regarding ankle plantar-flexion (PF) maximal angles, range-of-motion (ROM), and weight bearing symmetry index (SI) were collected from 25 adolescent female dance students randomly assigned to either MIP (experimental) or upper body exercise (control). Results showed feasibility of delivering the MIP intervention with a significant (p <0.05) improvement in ankle PF maximal angle and ROM for the repeated elevé following the intervention. Participants’ views regarding MIP and their imagery characteristics are also presented and discussed in light of practical implications. This study provides support to a promising relationship between implementing MIP as an adjunct dance training method and eliciting enhanced dance performance.