Mental Imagery In Sports

Introduction

During recent years studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between mental imagery and motor function in sports. There is some evidence to show that athletes who participate in mental imagery notice a beneficial change in their athletic performance (Hall, 2010). Mental imagery can be used for athletes who are ineligible to play such as people who have injuries. Studies have shown that there have been increases in muscle strength and performance when athletes participated in mental imagery (Lebon, 2010). The effect that imagery has on motor performance seems to be significant. These studies show that psychology and exercise do have something to do with each other. The relationship between mental imagery and athletic
For the baseball player there may be an “on deck” routine, in which he or she envisions themselves getting a beautiful base hit. The Golfer might envision hitting the perfect fade shot just over the bunkers and safely to its destination on the putting green. These are normal beneficial practices that every athlete at least once in their life goes through. Let’s say a basketball player is on the free throw line about to shoot the winning free-throw,that individual will most likely entertain the idea of positive mental imagery and see themselves making the shot, right before they shoot. There are three outcomes that these athletes hope to achieve: (a) to learn skills and strategies for performance, (b) to modify cognitions, (c) to regulate arousal and competitive anxiety. Hall et al. In the article Functions of mental imagery in expert golfers (Bergnie) there was a study done, in which the golfers were filmed during their performance. When the golfer’s finished competing they were asked to watch the film and discuss what aspects of mental imagery they were using. The former article focuses on visual imagery. The athletes were put into many different situations to interpret the difference from shot
This means that for every perpetual activity the individual is doing, they must be given their complete concentration. In a study done by Jeremy Richter he explains, by using all the body’s senses during imagery (i.e., polysensory imagery) helps one in achieving vivid or “lifelike” images. Lifelike imagery helps the body to respond physiologically the same way it would as if the person was actually physically performing. These senses could be anything. For instance, if the place where the person worked out was in a basketball gym, they might perceive squeaking sneakers on a hardwood floor. A golfer might smell the grass from which he takes his tee shot. A gymnast might feel the chalk on her hands, and this is what helps mental imagery become vivid as if the imagery was real life. Once the athlete was able to process these perceptions in there enhanced form, they were able to control their mental imagery. (Strength and Exercise article)19. Wright C and Smith D. The effect of PETTLEP imagery on strength performance. Int J Sport Exerc Psychol 7: 18–31, 2009. Emotion is an important part of sport, emotion should also be included in the imagery script. When mental imagery is used correctly it can form an internal strength that can help athletes accomplish goals they otherwise might have seen as untouchable. Through senses and emotion athletes can harness their greatest abilities, and who is to say that