PETTLEP Imagery Outperforms Traditional in Two Sports Studies

Source: tandfonline.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Researchers Dave Smith, Caroline Wright, Amy Allsopp, and Hayley Westhead tested PETTLEP imagery—a method using physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, and perspective elements—against traditional imagery in two experiments published in 2007. Study 1 involved varsity hockey players practicing penalty flicks; Study 2 used gymnasts on a beam jump. The paper reports these now because PETTLEP, proposed in 2001, needed empirical validation in applied settings.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Key points

Details and context

PETTLEP builds on motor imagery research by incorporating seven components to mimic neural activation of actual movement. In Study 1, sport-specific used pitch and uniform (physical/environment); clothing used only uniform; traditional ignored these. Sessions lasted 5 minutes daily, focusing task (flick), timing (real-speed), perspective (internal).[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Study 2 tested a gymnastic full turning jump: PETTLEP on beam in leotard; physical repeated jumps; stimulus read scripts; control irrelevant reading. Interventions ran 3-5 minutes, three times weekly. Results suggest adding PETTLEP elements boosts gains progressively, with full model rivaling practice.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Key quotes

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Why it matters

PETTLEP provides a framework for coaches and psychologists to design imagery that rivals physical training, aiding skill acquisition without fatigue or injury risk. Athletes and teams can use it to boost performance in closed skills like penalty flicks or jumps, especially when practice time is limited. Watch for extensions to open skills, teams, or youth, as these studies used individuals on lab-like tasks.

What changed

Before imagery training, all groups started at similar pre-test scores on hockey flicks or gymnastic jumps. After six weeks, sport-specific/cloth/traditional groups improved progressively over control in Study 1, while PETTLEP equaled physical practice over others in Study 2. Changes occurred post six-week interventions in both studies.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

FAQ

Q: What is PETTLEP imagery?

A: PETTLEP stands for physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, perspective—elements to make mental imagery match real practice closely. The studies used subsets like venue and clothing to test effects. It outperformed traditional methods by creating functional equivalence.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Q: How did groups differ in Study 1?

A: Sport-specific imagined on hockey pitch in uniform; clothing in uniform at home; traditional at home in normal clothes; control read literature. All imaged 10 penalty flicks daily for six weeks. Sport-specific improved most.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Q: What were Study 2 results?

A: Gymnasts in PETTLEP and physical practice improved jump scores significantly from pre to post-test after six weeks; stimulus and control did not. PETTLEP matched physical practice gains.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)

Q: Why use PETTLEP over traditional imagery?

A: Studies showed hierarchical gains: more PETTLEP components like physical/environment led to better post-test scores than traditional or none. It supports efficacy for sports performance.[[1]](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10413200600944132)