An Exploratory Study of Archers: Use of Different Frequencies of Pettlep Imagery Technique On Shooting Performance

Abstract

The primary purpose of the present research study was to examine the use of different frequencies of PETTLEP imagery trainings on shooting performance of Archers over a period of two weeks. Participants (n=160) invited from Clubs, Colleges, Universities, Academies and Departments: with a gender ratio of 90:70 for male and female respectively. The sample was randomly divided into four groups with 40 participants in each: PETTLEP Imagery Practice twice per week (2x/wk), PETTLEP Imagery Practice four times per week (4x/wk) and PETTLEP Imagery Practice six times per week (6x/wk) and a control group. During the pretest and post-test, participants were required to complete a total of 3 rounds comprising five shots in each round (total of 15 shots on target) from a distance of 30 meters with 10 minutes rest in between each round. The maximum possible score was 150 points and 10 points were awarded if the bull’s eye was hit. The standard Archery equipment was used with Hoyt/Fivics complete recurve Bow weighing 38-40 lbs, and Easton Carbon One arrows. Following the pre-test, each participant imagined twenty shots per practice session with frequency of sessions per week as per group confines. The control group only completed some archery specific stretching exercises. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Paired sample t test was used to identify the significant differences between pre and post-test scores of Archers and it showed that all three intervention groups improved significantly (p<.05) after intervention, with 6x/wk group showing the most improvement with an average improvement value of 31.01 (58.42%, followed by 17.74 (33.25%) for 4x/wk and 13.66 (25.86%) for 2x/wk. The control group showed an overall decline in performance by 8.96%. Results extend prior research findings to authenticate that PETTLEP Imagery practice has a substantial impact on improving skill precision levels of players. Our current findings suggest that if the frequency of practice is set to at least 6 times x per week, the improvement in performance will be the highest. However; there is room for further research to investigate and determine the optimum number of practice sessions in a fixed period of time.