The Effect of Motor Skill and Imagery Application on Psychomotor Development in Children

Ozan YILMAZ^1*Betul Bayazit²

• ¹Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil Universitesi, Istanbul, Türkiye
• ²Kocaeli Universitesi, Körfez, Türkiye

This study aimed to investigate the psychomotor development effect of motor skills and imagery application in 13 year-old boys. The research group consisted of 40 male volunteer children who had studied at Kocaeli/İzmit October 29, Secondary School. The research groups were divided into four groups (control, experiment-1, experiment-2, experiment-3) with a random method as n=10 children per group. A skill track consisting of eight stations, including fine and gross motor skills, was applied as a data collection tool. Motor skills and imagery programs were applied to the experimental groups 2 days a week for 8 weeks. The control group did not participate in imagery and motor skills exercises. The station scores and track finishing time that constitute the results of the pre-and post-tests of the intervention were recorded. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0. According to the normality test results, the Wilcoxon test, Kruskal–Wallis test, paired samples test, and one-way ANOVA test were applied. There were statistically significant differences between the study groups in balance, ball transport with racket, target ball throwing, cross hopping, ball driving, shooting, and over the hurdles practice post-test station score averages (p<0.05). There were significant differences between the total score on the track and the post-test averages of the track finish time (p<0.05). Imagery application studies are important mental processes in the uptake of motor learning and motor development. This research, which will be a reference for future studies, emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and states that the repetitive physical work method is also effective.