Objectives This study compared the effectiveness of an imagery intervention with an action observation intervention on the effectiveness of improving the ability to image different content and characteristics. These two intervention techniques were also compared to a control condition. Design Experimental study, random assignment to one of three groups and repeated assessments. Method Participants (N = 51; 59% female; Mage = 19.37, SD = 1.33) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: 1) imagery, 2) observation, 3) control. Imagery ability was assessed using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) and Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire (SIAQ) before and after the 4-week intervention. Groups consisted of either imaging a series of finger exercises (imagery group), observing videos of the same exercises (observation group), or performing the stroop task (control group). The intervention was conducted once a week in the lab, and imagery and observation interventions were also performed in participants’ own time between visits. Results Participants in the imagery and observation groups experienced a significant increase in their SIAQ skill, strategy, and mastery imagery ability from baseline to post intervention (ps Conclusions Imagery and observation are similarly effective intervention strategies in improving movement based imagery ability. Observation of actions appears to elicit spontaneous imagery in most people.
