Movement Imagery Ability: Development and Assessment of a Revised Version of the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire

TLDR

The study aimed to revise the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire to align with contemporary imagery concepts and evaluate its validity. Three studies were conducted: Study 1 administered a 24‑item 3‑factor VMIQ‑2 to 351 athletes, refined it to a 12‑item version via confirmatory factor analysis and correlated‑traits/uniqueness analysis; Study 2 replicated the factor structure with 355 athletes; Study 3 assessed concurrent and construct validity. The refined 12‑item VMIQ‑2 demonstrated acceptable fit, factorial validity, and supported concurrent and construct validity, indicating preliminary psychometric support for the revised questionnaire.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to amend the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ; Isaac, Marks, & Russell, 1986) in line with contemporary imagery modality and perspective conceptualizations, and to test the validity of the amended questionnaire (i.e., the VMIQ-2). Study 1 had 351 athletes complete the 3-factor (internal visual imagery, external visual imagery, and kinesthetic imagery) 24-item VMIQ-2. Following single-factor confirmatory factor analyses and item deletion, a 12-item version was subject to correlated traits / correlated uniqueness (CTCU) analysis. An acceptable fit was revealed. Study 2 used a different sample of 355 athletes. The CTCU analysis confirmed the factorial validity of the 12-item VMIQ-2. In Study 3, the concurrent and construct validity of the VMIQ-2 was supported. Taken together, the results of the 3 studies provide preliminary support for the revised VMIQ-2 as a psychometrically valid questionnaire.