Transcript
Page 1: Imageryand its influence on sporting performance

Imagery and its Influence on Sporting Performance. By Daniel Sainsbury

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ContentsWhat is imagery?Terms That Are Similar to Imagery:BackgroundFour Models of ImageryFactors Influencing ImageryDoes it work?Is There a Downside?

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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).

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Terms that are related to imagery:

RehearsalVisualizationModelingCognitive rehearsal Imaginal practiceVisuomotor trainingand even sofa training

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More BackgroundTry not to confuse Mental practice and ImageryBenefits have been shown to athletes by doing mental practice than if they did no practice.

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Four Models of Imagery

Bruce Howe. “Imagery and Sport Performance” University of Victoria. Victoria, B.C. Canada 

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Factors Influencing Imagery

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Status of the AthleteWhether 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

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Imagery Experience and Abililty

The individual ability of the athlete to use imagery

If the athlete has done it before

If the athlete is comfortable using it

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Imagery Perspective Internal Perspective:

Within the athleteIn their mindNo physical

ExternalCreating a duplicate actionFeel

Internal more powerful

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Type of Imagery Used Firstly, the athlete needs to be comfortable

The type of imagery needs to suit the action

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Nature of the TaskDecide 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

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Other Psychological Abilities

Motivation

Relaxation

Attitude

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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.

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Jack Nicklaus (Champion Golfer)

Greg Louganis (Olympian Diving Gold Medalist)

Chris Evert (Tennis Champion)

Pat Summitt (Female Basketball Coach)

Weinberg, R. (2008)

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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

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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)

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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

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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.

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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 KineticsSavoy, 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 1Wraga, M., & Kosslyn, S. (2002). Imagery. In L. Nadel (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (Vol.2). London: Nature Group.


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