Comparison of Physical Training, Mental Imagery, Observational Learning and their Combination on Cognitive and Executive Functions of Beginner Golfers

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of mental imagery, observational learning, combined (imagery and observational learning) and physical training on mental representation and performance of novice golfers. To this end, 60 students(age:22.8±2.11) were randomly assigned in four groups: 1) mental imagery, 2) observational learning 3) combined (imagery + observational learning) and 4) physical training. After the pre-test, the participants in each group performed the golf putting for 3 consecutive days (60 attempts per day) and the post-test was performed on the third day. Two days after the post-test, a retention test was taken. Performance accuracy and structure of mental representation of participants were measured as dependent variables. Results showed that in the golf putting variable, the physical training group was better than other groups. Also, the performance of the combined group was better than the imagery and observational learning group. In addition, in the mental representation variable, the combined group had a more structured and accurate mental representation than than other groups. In addition, the imagery group had a better mental representation than the observational learning and physical training group. Overall, The result of this study show that physical training compared to other methods increases the accuracy of golf putting. Also combined imagery and observational learning training, has a greater impact than other methods used in this study.