For all the hate on mental reps, there is validity to it.
I know of at least two studies... there are more, but i’ll Cite the results of two.
In one, 3 groups were tested for free throw accuracy. Over a period of time, one group practiced free throws, another group did nothing, the third set aside time daily to visualize perfect free throws.
Results? Free throws group improved the most. Nothing group did not improve. Visualization group improved... not quite as much as the practice group, but it was significant
In another study, visualization of bench press increased bench press strength.
One more, during injury, another group imagined performing bench press when they could not press and strength levels remained higher than the group who simply didn’t train.
It’s late, or I’d find some scientific references for you.