Investigation of the Imagination Status of University Educated Athletes According to Some Parameters

Abstract Imagery is widely recognized in sports psychology as a fundamental cognitive skill that enhances athletic performance, skill acquisition, and motivation. It involves the mental rehearsal of movements and scenarios without physical practice. However, the extent to which this ability varies among university-level athletes based on demographic and sport-specific factors remains an important area of investigation. The aim of this study is to compare the imagery states of university-educated competitive athletes according to various parameters, including gender, sports branch, faculty type, competition level, income status, and sports age. The research sample consisted of 356 student-athletes studying at different faculties of Ondokuz Mayıs University who actively participate in sports competitions. Data were collected using the “Sports Imagery Inventory” to evaluate the participants’ visualization levels across different sub-dimensions. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical package. The normality of the data distribution was assessed, and subsequently, Independent Samples t-tests were used for paired comparisons, while One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and LSD post-hoc tests were employed for multiple group comparisons. The level of statistical significance was established at p