2. Contents
What is imagery?
Terms That Are Similar to Imagery:
Background
Four Models of Imagery
Factors Influencing Imagery
Does it work?
Is There a Downside?
3. What is Imagery?
Imagery is a basic cognitive function in humans
and is central to motor skill acquisition and
execution
Imagery may be defined as using all the senses
(or at least all senses that are appropriate) to
create or re-create an experience or skill in the
mind.
“an internal representation that gives rise to the
experience of perception in the absence of the
appropriate sensory input”
(Wraga&Kosslyn, 2002).
4. Terms that are related to
imagery:
Rehearsal
Visualization
Modeling
Cognitive rehearsal
Imaginal practice
Visuomotor training
and even sofa training
5. More Background
Try not to confuse Mental practice and Imagery
Benefits have been shown to athletes by doing
mental practice than if they did no practice.
6. Four Models of Imagery
Bruce Howe. “Imagery and Sport Performance” University of
Victoria. Victoria, B.C. Canada
7. The Psycho-Neuromuscular
Approach
The psycho-neuromuscular approach describes
the effects of imagery rather than the process
itself.
It suggests that the imagery response will trigger
identical motor actions for the skill being imaged
and thus assist in developing the skill when used
alone or in combination with physical practice.
8. The Symbolic Learning Theory
The symbolic learning theory suggests that it is
the imaging of the symbolic general elements of
a task rather than specific muscle actions which
will improve performance.
This is closely allied to the principle that the
movement must be understood conceptually
before learning is possible.
9. The Arousal/Activation Theory
The arousal/activation theory suggests that
imagery is a means by which the subject
prepares for action both physiologically and
psychologically.
Giving the athlete motivation
10. The bioinformational
Theory
The bioinformational or information processing
theory incorporates elements of the first two
theories in that it suggests that imagery acts as a
mental stimulus for responses through matching
a previous response from long term memory.
These would presumably include both cognitive
and motor responses.
12. Status of the Athlete
Whether the athlete is elite or non-elite
Elite athletes use more imagery than beginners
and also get a better increase in performance
than beginners
Elite athletes are better at doing imagery
13. Imagery Experience
andAbililty
The individual ability of the athlete to use
imagery
If the athlete has done it before
If the athlete is comfortable using it
15. Type of Imagery Used
Firstly, the athlete needs to be comfortable
The type of imagery needs to suit the action
16. Nature of the Task
Decide which type of imagery that is going to be
used
Make the athlete feel more or less easy
Depend on the experience of the athlete
18. Does it work?
“We taped a lot of famous pictures on the locker-
room door: other players holding the Stanley
Cup. We’d stand back and look at them and
envision ourselves doing it. I really believe if you
visualize yourself doing something, you can
make that image come true.... I must have
rehearsed it ten thousand times. And when it
came true it was like an electric bolt went up my
spine.” Wayne Gretzky ,1998.
19. Jack Nicklaus (Champion Golfer)
Greg Louganis (Olympian Diving Gold Medalist)
Chris Evert (Tennis Champion)
Pat Summitt(Female Basketball Coach)
Weinberg, R. (2008)
20. imagery plus physical practice was compared to just
physical practice and with the inclusion of imagery there
was an increase of free throw percentage by 10-18%.
Note: Closed Skill
Savoy &Beitel, 1996
21. Suinn in 1976 developed visuo-motor behavior
rehearsal (VMBR) which includes a relaxation stage
before imagery occurs and this also have been proven
to show positive results.
Coaches felt it was an important mental tool to enhance
performance… It was found that coaches attending a
mental skills training workshop felt that they not only
used imagery more than any other mental training
technique, but that it was the most helpful technique
that they used with their athletes
Weinberg, R. (2008)
22. Is There a Downside?
It is hard to manipulate a technique like you are
able to in physical practice
The athlete can only practice the way they think
the skill should be performed.
You also need to make sure that your athletes
are doing imagery (specific skill) rather than
mental practice or prepareation (overall),
although benefits for both
23. Conclusion
It is just another asset for your players, and at an
elite level of competition you need all the little
advantages you can get.
24. References
Bruce Howe. “Imagery and Sport Performance” University of Victoria. Victoria, B.C. Canada
Callery, P., & Morris, T. (1993). The effect of mental practice on the performance of an Australian Rules football skill. In S.
Serpa, J. Alves, V. Ferreira, & A. Paula-Brito (Eds.). Proceedings of the VIII World Congress in Sport Psychology (pp. 646-
651). Lisbon, Portugal.
Hall, C. (2001). Imagery in sport and exercise. In R. Singer, H. Hausenblas, & C. Janelle (Eds.), Handbook of research in
sport psychology (2nd ed., pp.529- 549). New York: Wiley.
Hall, C., & Rodgers, W. (1989). Enhancing coaching effectiveness in figure skating through a mental skills training
program. The Sport Psychologist, 2, 142-154.
Hinshaw, K. (1991). The effects of mental practice on motor skill performance: Critical evaluation and meta-analysis.
Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 11, 3-35.
Murphy, S.M. and D.P. Jowdy. (1992) Imagery and Mental Practice in Advances in Sport Psychology. (Horn T.S. ed.)
Champaign, IL.: Human Kinetics
Savoy, C., &Beitel, P. (1996). Mental imagery for basketball. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 27, 454-462.
Suinn, R. (1993) “Imagery in Handbook of Research in Sport Psychology”. (Singer, R. N., Murphey, M., and Tennant, L.K.
eds.) New York: Macmillan Publishing Co,
Suinn, R. (1976, July). Body thinking for Olympic champs. Psychology Today, 10, 38-43.
Weinberg, R. (2008) “Does Imagery Work? Effects on Performance and Mental Skills” Journal of Imagery Research in
Sport and Physical Activity, Volume 3, Issue 1
Wraga, M., &Kosslyn, S. (2002). Imagery. In L. Nadel (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (Vol.2). London: Nature
Group.
