Mental Imagery Effects on Athletes' Mental Toughness and Sports Performance: A Bibliometric Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5614/jskk.2026.11.1.5Abstract
Abstract
This study aims to systematically map the development of research on mental
imagery in relation to athletes? mental toughness and sports performance using a
bibliometric approach. Data were obtained from the Scopus database, resulting in
183 journal articles published between 1977 and 2025. The analysis includes
publication trends, citation structures, journal productivity, and keyword co-
occurrence mapping using VOSviewer and RStudio.The results show a substantial
increase in research output after 2010, with more than 40% of total publications
produced after 2020, and a peak in 2023 with 17 articles. Citation analysis
indicates that a limited number of highly cited studies dominate the field, reflecting
a concentrated pattern of scientific influence. Keyword co-occurrence analysis
identifies mental imagery as a central construct linking performance enhancement,
psychological regulation, and injury rehabilitation, with four main thematic
clusters. This study addresses the fragmented nature of previous research by
providing an integrated bibliometric mapping of mental imagery studies across
performance and psychological domains. The main contribution lies in identifying
research trends, intellectual structures, and emerging directions, particularly in
technology-based interventions and longitudinal approaches in sport psychology.
Keywords: mental imagery, mental toughness, sports performance, athletes,
bibliometric analysis.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Agita Naufal Khuluqin Azhiim
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