Does level of expertise influence imagined durations in open skills? Played versus imagined durations of badminton sequences

Abstract

Mental chronometry is a well‐established method for analyzing dynamic mental images. The present study extends a previous focus on closed skills to include the open skill of badminton sequences. Accuracy of mental duration was examined as a function of task complexity and expertise level in a total of 45 participants of varying expertise (novices, intermediates, and experts from national leagues). They had to both play and mentally rehearse defined badminton sequences of five, seven, and nine strokes. Results showed a systematic reduction of mental duration for all expertise levels. Although task experience reduced mental timing errors, this did not depend on expertise itself. Correlational data revealed individual strategies in both actual and mental durations but not across the two. It is argued that exact mental durations of badminton rallies are not an essential part of the mental routines used by athletes, because varying conditions offer visual cues that can be used to anticipate play.

Keywords:

• mental imagery
• mental duration
• expert‐novice differences
• expertise
• open skills