Imagery Model and Sport Confidence on Karate Kata Motion Skills

Muhamad Fajar, Yudha Munajat Saputra and Mulyana Mulyana

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jln. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229 Bandung, Indonesia

muhamadfajarspd@student.upi.edu

Keywords: PETTLEP, Relaxation, Imagery, Sport Confidence, Kata, Karate.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the influence of PETTLEP imagery and relaxation imagery on the

learning of karate kata. The samples were 40 novice futsal karateka who had been training for two months.

To achieve the purpose, a 2x2 factorial design was employed. The data were analyzed using a two-way

ANOVA in SPSS 23. The results revealed that the PETTLEP imagery model was better than the relaxation

imagery model in improving karate kata motion skills. The relaxation imagery model did not significantly

influence karate kata motion skills in high sport confidence. The PETTLEP imagery model was better than

the relaxation imagery model both in high and low sport confidence.

1 INTRODUCTION

Imagery is the exercise of mental skills by raising the

imagination of motion patterns or situations in the

mind that involves the elements of the senses so that

the sensation felt when imagining is similar to the

actual situation (Weinberg and Gould, 2011; Eklund

and Tenenbaum, 2014). There are several models of

imagery exercises, one of them is imagery model

which started with relaxation developed by Suinn

(1972). This imagery model is called visuo-motor

rehearsal behavior (VMBR). Relaxation before

imagery can alter the athlete's physiological state,

such as heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension

(Weinberg, et al., 1981). In addition, the purpose of

giving relaxation is to clear the mind of the distracting

things and make the atmosphere quiet and calm.

Relaxation imagery is also called the traditional

imagery.

Some researchers have criticized the weaknesses

of imagery relaxation. Holmes and Colins (2001)

stated that relaxation before imagery was a way of

treatment from the past that was done for generations

and not a theory that emerged from the evidence of

research. Some studies have shown that imagery

relaxation has no impact on sport performance (Gray,

1989; Weinberg et al., 1981; Zervas and Kakkos,

1991). In addition, imagery scripts that used the one

size fits all rule (one for all) are less precise because

basically humans have differences both physically

and psychically (Wakefield, et al., 2013).

To cover the weaknesses of traditional imagery,

Holmes and Collins (2001) developed the PETTLEP

imagery model. This model emerged based on the

principle of functional equivalence where

imagination in imagery should be as close as possible

to the actual situation. Imagery that fits the motion is

the one that has a kinesthetic sensation from one’s

point of view (internal). PETTLEP is a combination

of components from: Physical, Environment, Timing,

Task, Learning, Emotion, Perspective.

Physical requires imagery to be a physical activity

such as sports (Holmes and Collins, 2001; Wakefield

and Smith 2012). Bringing out kinesthetic sensations

when doing imagery is a way for imagery and motion

to be one. The kinesthetic sensations are helpful when

studying a pattern of motion (Farahat, et al., 2004).

For example, raising a kinesthetic sensation in the

hand when imagining parry movement in karate and

feeling the contracting leg muscles while doing the

stances. In addition to kinesthetic sensations during

imagery, it is also advisable to wear the same clothes

and use objects that are related to the movement being

imagined.

Environment refers to where the imagery takes

place. The place of imagery should be made as similar

as possible with where the exercise is performed.

Video, audio and photos can be used as a tool to help

imagine a place.

Task deals with a specific duty in accordance with

the athlete's skill level, especially regarding the focus

Fajar, M., Saputra, Y. and Mulyana, M.

Imagery Model and Sport Conﬁdence on Karate Kata Motion Skills.

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Sports Science, Health and Physical Education (ICSSHPE 2017) - Volume 2, pages 111-116

ISBN: 978-989-758-317-9

111

and concentration. For example, beginner karateka

are more focused to remember the kata motion while

advanced karateka are focused on physical

performance and technique (Bedon and Howard,

1992).

Timing is related to the time completion of the

motion task. To get the equivalence of imagery and

motion function, the speed of movement when

imagining should be the same as the original

movement (real time).

Learning is related to the adaptation of the content

of the imagery toward the learning stages. The

improvement of athletes’ skills from week to week

became the consideration of this concept. The

imagery script in PETTLEP is changed every week to

suit the level of the athletes’ skill.

Emotion. In fact, competition sports is a physical

activity that involves emotions. Therefore imagery

must bring the same emotions with the actual sports

situation. For example, sport targets or raises feelings

of tension while competing.

Perspective in PETTLEP uses internal point of

view. The internal point of view imagines the motion

of our own eyes, whereas the external point of view

illustrated as the athlete imagines seeing himself

exercising. External point of view can be when

athletes watching videos of themselves exercising.

Callow, et al. (2013) proved that the internal point of

view is better than the external point of view in

motion imagery.

Based on the results of the study, the PETTLEP

Imagery model has been tested to improve the

performance of athletes in golf (Smith et al. 2008),

netball (Wakefield and Smith, 2009), muscle strength

(Wright and Smith, 2009) and volleyball (Afrouzeh et

al. Therefore, PETTLEP imagery model should be

tried on karate sports because the writers have not

found any research on PETTLEP imagery model on

karate.

Other than imagery models, the athlete's best

performance is also determined by self-confidence

(Vealey, 1986). There are two main models of

confidence measurements in sport: self-efficacy and

sport-confidence (Callow and Hardy, 2001; Thomas,

et al., 2011). Self-efficacy is a form of self-confidence

in a specific situation that is defined as "Belief's in

one's capabilties to organize and execute the courses

of action required to manage prospective situations."

(Bandura, 1995, p.2). The concept of self-efficacy

arises from the discipline of clinical psychology. Self-

efficacy is not a confidence concept that is specific in

sports, although it is already applied in sports.

Vealey (1986) developed the sport-confidence

that provides a confidence concept that is specified to

sports. Sport-confidence by Vealey (1986) "... as the

belief or degree of certainty individuals possess about

their ability to be successful in sport". Sport-

confidence consists of two concepts: sport-

confidence trait (SC-trait) and state sport-confidence

(SC-state). Trait sport-confidence by Vealey (1986)

"... as the belief or degree of certainty of the people

possessing possess of their ability to be successful in

sport". State sport-confidence by Vealey (1986) "... as

the belief or degree of certainty individuals possess at

one particular moment about their ability to be

successful in sport". It can also be said that the level

of confidence appropriate to the current situation of

the sport and its nature is changeable.

The previous research revealed that sport

confidence is associated with imagery (Moritz, et al

1996, Abma et al. 2002; Callow and Waters, 2005).

Thus, the writers assumed that self-confidence in the

sport greatly determines the performance of the

karateka in doing the kata motion.

A more in-depth review need to be conducted

regarding the application of PETTLEP imagery

models compared to imagery relaxation by grouping

the sample according to confidence level in high and

low sports in advance.

2 METHOD

2.1 Participants

Forty beginners karateka with two-month experience

of exercise. Derived from karate extracurricular of

SMP Daarut Tauhiid Bandung with the age range

from 13-14 years. All participants have never had any

mental imagery training in sports before this.

2.2 Instruments

2.2.1 Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire

The questionnaire is to obtain information from the

athletes about the ability to produce imaginary

shadows associated with sports. It consists of 15

questions using 7 Likert scales. In accordance with

the previous research, if the sample is below the

standard then the sample is not included in the study

(Cumming and Williams, 2014).

2.2.2 Vealey Trait Sport Confidence

Inventory (1986)

The questionnaire is to assess the level of confidence

in the sport. It consists of 13 items of questions using

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9 Likert scales. The value of 1 to answer the lowest

confidence and 9 to answer the highest confidence.

2.2.3 WKF Kata and Kumite Competition

Rules Revision 9.0.

The instrument in this research is a series of kata

motion test based on the assessment criteria of WKF

Kata and Kumite Competition Rules Revision 9.0.

(2015). There are 3 main assessments of equal

weight. Compatibility with original form and

applicable standards, technical performance, and

athletic performance. Each one has a weight of 1/3

rating.

2.4 Procedure

The samples worked on Sport Imagery Ability

Quistionare, Trait Sport Confidence Inventory and

Pretest karate.

Trait Sport Confidence Inventory results are used

to divide the sample into a high and low confidence

groups. To divide the high and low confidence used a

median split method based on the results of the

questionnaire sorted by the highest and lowest score

then divides the two into high and low categories

(Mills, et al. 2000).

The specified sample is divided into four groups

based on the trait sport confidence inventory

questionnaire, ie a) the group of high sport confidence

students is given PETTLEP imagery (n = 10), b) the

group of low sport confidence students is given

PETTLEP Imagery (n = 10), c) the group of high

sport confidence students is given Relaxation

imagery (n = 10) and d) group of low sport confidence

students are given Imagery Relaxation (n = 10).

Samples are requested not to conduct additional

exercises outside of a predefined schedule. Based on

literature references (Wakefield and Smith, 2009;

Schuster, et al. 2011), the treatment in this study was

given four times a week for 16 meetings. The imagery

treatment is given at most 17 minutes. Both groups

got imagery before physical exercise begins.

Imagery relaxation starts the imagery with

relaxation and the script on imagery relaxation in the

form of motion assignment and there was no change

of script from the beginning to the end. The samples

positions in this group sat quietly and relax.

PETTLEP imagery uses 7 elements (physical,

environment, timing, task, learning, emotion,

perspective). The position of the body stands and was

instructed using a kinesthetic (physical) sensation

from an internal point of view. The samples were also

instructed to imagine the clothes worn like a karate

uniform and belt. The samples imagined themselves

standing in the middle of the hall (environment) and

felt the feeling when the all eyes are watching him

doing the kata (emotion). The script was changed and

adjusted to the ability of the sample (learning). The

specific motion task consists of 21 motions and

adjusted to the actual motion tempo (task, timing).

After 16 sessions, the samples performed a

posttest of the kata karate. The data was analyzed

using SPSS 23 and given conclusion.

3 RESULTS

The research data (kata) was analyzed by 2 ways

anova and tukey with the help of SPSS 23. Here is the

summary of the result of calculation in table 1:

Table 1: Data results.

Confidence

(B)

Model Imagery (A)

PETTLEP

Imagery

relaxation

High

Confidence

49,6

34,7

Low

Confidence

42,3

37,9

Average

45,9

36,3

Since the value of Sig. is smaller (<) than α

(0.040> 2.024), then H

is rejected and H

is accepted.

So the research hypothesis stated: There is a

significant difference between the PETTLEP imagery

model and the imagery relaxation model received at

the level of significance α = 0.05.

Since the value of Sig. is larger (>) than α (0.248>

0.05), then H

is accepted and H

is rejected. So the

research hypothesis states: There is no interaction

between 'model imagery' and 'confidence' to the skills

of the word received at the level of significance α =

0.05.

Because the value of Sig. is larger (>) than α

(0.108> 0.05), then H

is accepted and H

is rejected.

So the research hypothesis states: There is no

significant difference between the model PETTLEP

imagery with imagery relaxation model in the group

of high sport confidence received at the level of

significance α = 0.05

Because the value of Sig. is larger (>) than α

(0.905> 0.05), then H

is accepted and H

is rejected.

So the hypothesis of research that states: There is no

significant difference between the PETTLEP imagery

model with the imagery relaxation model in the group

of low sport confidence received at the level of

significance α = 0.05.

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113

4 DISCUSSION

The PETTLEP imagery model is better than the

imagery relaxation model toward the kata motion

skill in karate. The results of this study filled the void

of literature on PETTLEP imagery in karate kata

motion while supporting the PETTLEP imagery

theory which says that the imagination in PETTLEP

is closer to the actual state of sport (equivalence of

function) than imagery relaxation (Holmes and

Collins, 2001).

Holmes and Collins (2001) says "We define motor

imagery as a force generating representation of the

self in action from a first person (internal) perspective

(Jeannerod, 1997). The primary representational

sense is kinesthesis". Kinesthetic sensations and

internal point of view are the principal in sports

imagery to get imaginations that are similar to the

actual motion. Physical elements in PETTLEP

require the position of the karateka to stand and feel

each imagination by giving a kinesthetic sensation. In

contrast to the imagery relaxation on which the

relaxation was first given to the karateka and

performed with a relaxed sitting position. The results

of the research invisibly show the imagery relaxation

group faced difficulty in determining the step and

hand motion patterns of kata. For example, imagery

relaxation groups made more mistakes than the

PETTLEP group on motion 10 and 18 in kata heian

shodan. This is due to the motions are rather

complicated and require direct practice to learn.

PETTLEP imagery imagines feeling the same muscle

contraction as actual kata motion, making the

imagination clearerthan just imagining while sitting

relaxly.

The environment in PETTLEP gives the

imagination of where kata takes place. The stimulus

script and response prepositions were used to provide

stimuli and something felt by the karateka when

imaginating (Lang, 1979). So when the karateka

practiced kata in the actual place, they already feel

familiar and not confused with kata step pattern

(embusen). In contrast to the imagery relaxation

group scripts that were not provided with the place to

perform kata, some karateka were seen using places

to memorize the kata motion. Therefore, when the

place changes, the direction of the embusen became

wrong.

Timing, Task and Learning were adjusted to the

karateka’s level of ability. The script at the initial

meeting was made with slow-motion directives and

detailed instructions. So the karateka can memorize

every kata motion easily. The karateka in the second

week seemed to have memorized the skill. To adjust

the tempo (timing) of the imagery script, the details

of the task direction were minimized and directions

for quick motions were given. The script in the third

week was made with short instructions to keep up

with the tempo of kata motion and instruction to use

speed and power to parry or hitting were added.

The emotion factor added in the PETTLEP script

was in the form of self-confidence displaying the kata

motion in front of his classmates. To display the kata

motion well requires high confidence, because one of

the judgments for kata is a facial expression that is a

reflection of the karateka's emotional behaviour.

This study is in accordance with previous research

which concluded that PETTLEP is better than

imagery relaxation in improving sports performance

(Afrouzeh, 2013; Wright and Smith, 2009; Smith et

al. 2008).

The results showed the PETTLEP imagery model

was better than the imagery relaxation toward

karate’s kata motion skill in the high confidence

students group. Vealey (1986) stated that confidence

"... as the belief or degree of certainty individuals

possess about their ability to be successful in sport".

This can be interpreted as a belief or a level of

confidence a person has about his ability to succeed

in sports. If the confidence is high, then the resulted

sports performance will be high. Added with

PETTLEP imagery supplements that provide more

imaginative equality with real motion than the

imagery relaxation.

The results are consistent with earlier research

findings which found out that high confidence was

better than low confidence in imagination abilities

(Abma et al. 2002, Moritz et al., 1996).

The results showed that there were differences in

average values between the PETTLEP imagery

model and imagery relaxation in the high confidence

group, but there was no difference in the average

value between the PETTLEP imagery model and the

imagery relaxation in the low confidence group. This

is allegedly because the low confidence group lacks

clarity of imagination in itself, as revealed by the

results of the study Abma, et al. (2002) who found

that confidence affects clarity when doing imagery.

The higher the confidence the better imagination

made, and vice versa. The results of this study prove

the theory of Ahsen (1984) which stated that

everyone has a different interpretation of meaning

when given the direction of the same imagery script.

This happens to high and low confidence groups who

were given the same PETTLEP but have different

effects. In addition, low confidence also affects the

performance of the sport.

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5 CONCLUSIONS

The PETTLEP imagery model is better than the

imagery relaxation model toward karate’s kata

motion skills but the imagery model does not interact

with the high and low level of sport confidence

attached to the subject so it had no effect on the

karate’s kata motion skill, where the PETTLEP

imagery model is better than imagery relaxation

models in high sport confidence groups and low sport

confidence groups.

Based on the results of research and conclusions

that have been presented, the writers propose

recommendations in the hope that it can be beneficial

to all interested parties. The recommendations that

the writers propose are as follows: For schools, to

provide guidance on physical education teachers and

karate coaches to provide imagery model

supplements in learning physical education and sports

in extracurricular so that learning objectives can be

achieved. For karate coaches, to provide PETTLEP

imagery supplements for learning purposes to be

achieved. In addition, to look for prospective athletes

by considering the personality such as confidence in

order to find the best potential athletes in the future.

For the students, to get maximum results from sports

performance, physical and techniques training are

required. Moreover, other than physical exercise,

mental training is also required to be trained. For the

next researchers, it is expected to develop the research

and fill the void of literature that will add to the

repertoire of sports science.

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