Mental Imagery Its Nature and Use with Regard to Motor Performance
Mental imagery is a technique that has been increasingly used toenhance motor performance, especially as this relates to fitness andsports. According to Annie Plessinger, mental imagery, visualization ormental rehearsal, is an experience in the mind that resembles the actualexperience without any physical activity or stimuli. Another, and perhapsclearer, definition is that mental imagery involves the mental repetitionof a certain skill or movement, without the accompanying physical movement("The Use of Mental Imagery in Soccer"). Basically the definition of theterm entails that in motor performance, mental imagery entails rehearsalusing the mind only, without any physical involvement. Mental imagery thus means to imagine movement without carrying it out(Plessinger). In fitness and sports, this means vi
Yukelson uses theterm "feelization" to denote the sensation created by internal imagery. It thus follows that individual differences will play a large partin mental imagery. David Yukelson emphasizes the importance of the appropriate feeling thatshould accompany mental imagery. Further individualfactors that play a role include the fact that some display a greaterpropensity towards visualization skills, while others again excel incertain sensory experiences to a greater degree than others (Plessinger). Furthermore different types of sports will also vary interms of requirements for the type and intensity of mental imagery. Individual Differences Different people have different needs, and different ways of seeingthings. All needs, abilities and interests should therefore be taken into accountwhen developing mental imagery programs for athletes (Yukelson). This can help the mind to become used tothe skill in order to better prepare the body for physical performance. During practice, movements or techniques are explained, afterwhich athletes can be given time to absorb and visualize. Mental imagery can be practiced during practice, competitions andafterward. External imagery occurs when a soccer player forexample visualizes himself as if he is watching a separate personperforming the actions. The player feels as it were the actions being imagined. Individual preference and circumstantial requirements will thus play amajor role in choice of mental imagery practice. Beforecompetitions, athletes can use external mental imagery in order to preparethemselves for how the audience and other players will see them, whileafterward mental imagery can be used to relax and prepare for futurecompetitions. The image in the mind is then accompaniedby the desired feeling of for example confidence and control.
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