# The Effects of Imagination on Performance in Ballet: A Case Study

## TL;DR

Imagining taking the floor during jumps improved ballet performance by increasing jump height and joint range of motion.

## Contribution

Demonstrates how external focus instructions can enhance ballet movement quality through biomechanical changes.

## Key findings

- Jump height and hip/knee range of motion increased significantly after the intervention.
- Results varied by group, but no significant change in leg stiffness was observed.
- External focus instructions may be a useful tool in dance training across experience levels.

## Abstract

Mental images such as foci of attention can significantly enhance the quality of movements, providing a positive effect on human performance, e.g., in dancers or athletes. Thirteen participants (height = 161 ± 13 cm, mass = 46.4 ± 17.3 kg, and age = 21 ± 8.4 years) with varying levels of experience in classical ballet were divided into three groups (amateur, professional, and children). Each participant performed three sauté en suite jumps, followed by an instruction to imagine “taking the floor with them” during the jump. The study aimed to assess the effect of this external focus on jumping performance using biomechanical modeling. Results showed a statistically significant increase in jump height and an expanded range of motion in the hip and knee joints after the intervention, suggesting a positive influence on movement quality. However, results varied among groups, with no significant change in leg stiffness across participants, though tendencies appeared within each group. These findings indicate that an external focus of attention could be a useful tool in dance pedagogy, enhancing performance quality across experience levels and supporting individual progress. The study recommends further research to explore the full impact of psychologically effective instructions on various aspects of physical performance.