Motor Imagery, Hand Mental Rotation, and Performance in Female Volleyball Players

This comparative cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between motor imagery (MI) ability, hand mental rotation (HMR), and performance outcomes in female volleyball players. Volleyball is a high-speed, cognitively demanding sport requiring precise motor coordination, rapid decision-making, and explosive movements. MI-the mental simulation of movement-and HMR-the cognitive manipulation of hand orientation-are critical for motor planning and execution. The study has two primary objectives: (1) to compare MI ability and HMR performance between female volleyball players and sedentary controls, and (2) to evaluate associations between MI/HMR scores and reaction time as well as vertical jump performance among volleyball players. The investigators hypothesize that volleyball players will exhibit superior MI and HMR abilities compared to controls, and that higher MI and HMR scores will correlate with faster reaction times and greater vertical jump height. Findings from this study will elucidate the cognitive-motor mechanisms underlying athletic performance and may inform training strategies to enhance neuromotor efficiency in sport-specific contexts.

NCT Number	NCT07270224
Lead Sponsor	Medipol University
Conditions	Motor Imagery, Volleyball, Reaction Time, Vertical Jump Performance
Enrollment	52 participants
Start Date	2025-11-10
Primary Completion	2025-11-25 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-12-10 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2025-12-26