Aim: This article introduces a new tool designed to assess the ability to manipulate motor representations in combat sports, the Movement Imagery Specific Test (MIST), as a complement to traditional motor imagery questionnaires. Method: Sixty participants practicing fencing, judo or wrestling took part in the study. Three different versions of the test were designed, adapted to each sport. Results: Validity and reliability of the test were satisfactory, with a significant correlation between the MIST and the Mental Rotation Test (MRT), both performance tests, but not between the MIST and the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R). We also observed a significant effect of sport level and of gender on MIST performance. This new tool is intended for professionals in the field of sport to assess effectively the quality of representations underlying combat practice, thus facilitating the use of motor imagery regardless of levels. The MIST also seeks to promote the development of new assessing tools, original and specific.
© Copyright 2012 Science & Sports. Elsevier. All rights reserved.