Comparing of the effect PETTLEP mental imagery and physical practice on the acquisition and retention skill of dart throwing

The aim of this study was investigating and testing the PETTLEP’s mental imagery. The main goal of the present study was comparing the PETTLEP’s mental imagery and physical practice effect on the acquisition and retention skill of dart throwing. To this aim، the questionnaire of mental imagery (Hall & Martin، 1997) and the personal information forms were distributed among 256 male students. Finally، based on a special goal 45 people by the points from 45 to 55 and without any former skill of dart throwing in three groups of 15 persons of PETTLEP’s mental imagery، physical practice and control were selected randomly. The training protocol was three sessions a week and during 6 weeks، and after that the test was completed. The test of retention was held two weeks after the last training session. After being sure about the data to be normal and the equality of variances، data was analyzed according to One way ANOVA with repeated-measure analysis on last factor (time)، One way ANOVA analysis and post-hoc Tukey test. The results of the repeated-measures showed the significant difference between the physical practice and the control group (p=0. 006)، PETTLEP group and control (p=0. 001) in the stage of acquisition. Moreover، in the stage of retention between the groups of physical practice and PETTLEP group (p=0. 007)، physical practice and control (p=0. 001)، and also between the PETTLEP and control group (p=0. 001) there was a significant difference. With respect to the findings of this study، The role of the mental imagery and especially the PETTLEP model was in the center of attention more than before and it is recommended to use this model in addition to physical practicing.