Sport Imagery Research Articles

Vividness and Transformation of Mental Images in Karate

Background: Systematic reviews have shown that imagery improves performance in motor tasks. Objective: In order to observe the function of imagery in sport, this study investigated modifications in Imagery Ability, in terms of both controllability (i.e., the accurateness with which an image can be operated mentally) and vividness (i.e., the precision richness of an image), in competitive and recreational karateka. Method: Thirty volunteers karateka completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2, and the Subtraction of parts Task. Results: Competitive athletes reported higher scores on imagery ability than recreational athletes. No correlations were found between the variables of Vividness and the Subtraction of parts Task for any of the two groups. All analyses were two-tailed with α at .05. Conclusion: The study has risen the investigation in the particular ambit of imagery ability, providing an additional support for the multidimensional nature of mental imagery and for its usefulness in athletes. Keywords: imagery, motor tasks, karate, static vividness

An alternative application of imagery in youth sport: Promoting the transfer of life skills to other contexts

Significant sport psychology research has been devoted to the positive effects that sport participation can have on youth outcomes, including social, emotional, and physical skills (Gould & Carson, 2008; Petitpas, Cornelius, Van Raalte, & Jones, 2005). Central to this concept is the idea that learning that occurs during sport participation will actually transfer these valuable life skills to other non-sport contexts in a youth's life (Danish & Nellen, 1997). This article proposes imagery as one potential strategy for facilitating this transfer of learning process from a youth development framework. Several practical suggestions for youth coaches on the application of imagery techniques for life skill utilization in and out of sport are discussed.

Fighting Fandom: How Fan Identity Influences Self-Reported and Physiological Arousal During Exposure to Violent Sports Imagery

The current study examines how varying fan identification of a niche, violent sport, mixed martial arts (mma), and the sport’s leading organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship (ufc), can impact pleasure, involvement, and, more importantly, self-reported arousal and physiological arousal. An experiment measuring pleasure and two types of arousal (self-report and physiological response) supports previous facets of fan identification theory while adding insight concerning fans’ and nonfans’ physiological response to a violent sport. The results of the study show that increased fan identification is a strong predictor for all ufc-related consumption, involvement, pleasure, and self-reported arousal. However, results reveal differences between physiological arousal based on one’s level of fan identification—but not in the same direction as self-reported arousal, contrary to what previous studies have suggested. Low-identified fans displayed higher levels of physiological arousal than highly identified fans, suggesting that the novelty or arousing nature of the sport supersedes arousal induced from high levels of fan identity. Conclusions regarding the impact of fan identification’s effect on the individual are offered.

Imagery in Dance: A Literature Review.

Dance imagery is a consciously created mental representation of an experience, either real or imaginary, that may affect the dancer and her or his movement. In this study, imagery research in dance was reviewed in order to: 1. describe the themes and ideas that the current literature has attempted to illuminate and 2. discover the extent to which this literature fits the Revised Applied Model of Deliberate Imagery Use. A systematic search was performed, and 43 articles from 24 journals were found to fit the inclusion criteria. The articles were reviewed, analyzed, and categorized. The findings from the articles were then reported using the Revised Applied Model as a framework. Detailed descriptions of Who, What, When and Where, Why, How, and Imagery Ability were provided, along with comparisons to the field of sports imagery. Limitations within the field, such as the use of non-dance-specific and study-specific measurements, make comparisons and clear conclusions difficult to formulate. Future research can address these problems through the creation of dance-specific measurements, higher participant rates, and consistent methodologies between studies.

아동을 위한 한국판 스포츠 심상 검사지 개발 및 타당화

The aim of this study is to validate “The sport Imagery Questnionaire for Children” to Korean circumstance. For the validation, we back-translated SIQ-C, translated with professional translators and inserted illustrated images for better understanding. 80 young athletes analyzed the questionnaire and exploratory factors, and we confirmed 21 questionnaire. The data of this study was gathered from 451 athletes, used confirmatory factor analysis, high order factor analysis and correlation analysis. And the data was also confirmed external correlation by difference analysis of sports imagery. As a result, 5 main factors(specific recognition, general recognition, specific motive, arousal of general motive and mastering of general motive) composing sports imagery was confirmed, and also the structural validity of the questionnaire was confirmed.

The applied model of imagery use: Examination of moderation and mediation effects.

The applied model of mental imagery use proposed an interaction effect between imagery type and imagery ability. This study had two aims: (a) the examination of imagery ability as a moderating variable between imagery type and dispositional flow, and (b) the testing of alternative mediation models. The sample consisted of 367 athletes from Scotland and Australia, who completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire, Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire, and Dispositional Flow Scale-2. Hierarchical regression analysis showed direct effects of imagery use and imagery ability on flow, but no significant interaction. Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect path, indicating a partially mediated relationship (P = 0.002) between imagery use, imagery ability, and flow. Partial mediation was confirmed when the effect of cognitive imagery use and cognitive imagery ability was tested, and a full mediation model was found between motivational imagery use, motivational imagery ability, and flow. The results are discussed in conjunction with potential future research directions on advancing theory and applications.

Athlete imagery ability: A predictor of confidence and anxiety intensity and direction

This study investigated whether athletes’ sport imagery ability predicted the intensity and direction of their trait anxiety, and whether trait confidence mediated this relationship. Three-hundred and fifteen male (n = 181) and female (n = 134) athletes (Mage = 19.23; SD = 1.16) completed the Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire to measure skill, strategy, goal, affect, and mastery ease of imaging, and the Competitive Trait Anxiety Inventory-2 to measure the intensity and direction of cognitive and somatic anxiety and self-confidence. Structural equation modelling supported a model whereby mastery and goal imagery ability positively predicted confidence. This in turn negatively predicted cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity and positively predicted cognitive and somatic anxiety direction. Mastery and goal imagery ability indirectly predicted cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity and direction via self-confidence. However, mastery ease of imaging directly predicted cognitive anxiety intensity. Results demonstrate the importance of mastery and goal imagery ability in regulating confidence and the intensity and direction of anxiety symptoms. Results infer that individuals who are better at seeing themselves achieving goals and performing well in difficult situations are able to reduce the impact of negative images by replacing these with positive ones.

Athletes’ imagery use from a team-level perspective and team cohesion

While a positive relationship has been established between imagery and team-level constructs (e.g. collective-efficacy and cohesion), those studies have examined imagery from an individual-level perspective (e.g. “I imagine myself being mentally tough”). Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship of athlete imagery use from a team-level perspective to team cohesion. Interdependent sport team athletes (N = 284) completed the Group Environment Questionnaire in order to measure team cohesion, and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire-Team Sport which was modified from the original Sport Imagery Questionnaire to assess the frequency of athlete's imagery use from a team-level perspective. Multiple regression analysis revealed that motivation general-mastery imagery was significantly related to the cohesion dimensions of group integration-task (21%), individual attractions to the group-task (11%), and individual attractions to the group-social (13%). Findings suggest that motivational imagery from a team-level perspective should be emphasised on sport teams in order to increase team cohesion.

The Use of Imagery by Portuguese Soccer Goalkeepers

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study the extent to which Portuguese soccer goalkeepers used imagery, and to examine if and how athletes of different ages differed in their use of imagery. Seventy soccer goalkeepers playing in the two major Portuguese soccer leagues completed the translated versions of the Sports Inventory of Mental Strategies, the Imagery Use Questionnaire for Soccer Players, the Sport Imagery Training and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire. The results showed that imagery was most used in competition than in training, preferably in its visual dimension and from an internal perspective. The results also demonstrated that athletes used imagery both for motivational and cognitive purposes, but the motivational function, namely its general-mastery component, was slightly more used and with more vivid images. After competition and when injured, under-21 athletes used imagery significantly less than their older counterparts.

Examining Developmental Differences in Imagery Use with Youth Soccer Players

Abstract Emerging research on youth sport participants has revealed that young athletes use sport-related mental imagery for a variety of purposes such as acquiring sport-specific skills. The present study aimed to replicate previous research regarding developmental differences in imagery use, confirm the utility of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire-Children’s Version (SIQ-C), and clarify the relationship of gender to imagery use in youth sport. Youth soccer players (N = 207) included boys and girls ranging in age from 7 to 16 years. All participants completed the SIQ-C. Results replicated previous research indicating the SIQ-C is a suitable tool for examining imagery use by youth sport participants. Developmental differences similar to previous research were also replicated; younger age cohorts were more likely to use motivational-specific (goal-oriented) images. No gender differences in imagery use materialized; recruiting participants from a single sport allowed direct comparisons between genders and eliminated the confounding variable of sport type.

Biomechanical and Psychological Analysis of High School, Intercollegiate, and Elite Long-Distance Runners

It is undeniable that efficiency and mentality are crucial to achieving optimal athletic performance during competition. However, development of psychological skills is often neglected, particularly in lower levels of competition. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the biomechanical efficiency and psychological skills use among high school, intercollegiate, and elite long-distance runners. Data were gathered from six individuals, one male and one female for each of the three assessed levels of competition. Biomechanics is a discipline that, when applied to sports, functions as a method of identifying “ideal” joint positions and movements that allow athletes to obtain optimal efficiency. Mean deviations from the ideal values during the stance phase were 9.8° for high school, 11.35° for intercollegiate, and 5.85° for elite. Mean scores of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory Questionnaire-28 were 51 for high school, 50 for intercollegiate, and 63.5 for elite. Mean scores of the Sports Imagery Questionnaire were 76.5 for high school, 78.5 for intercollegiate, and 90.5 for elite. In this study, elite athletes outperformed high school and intercollegiate athletes in efficiency and psychological strengths; however, few differences were observed between high school and intercollegiate athletes. Additionally, discrepancies in psychological skills appeared to be more prominent than differences in efficiency. This difference could result from efficiency being emphasized even in lower levels of competition. On the other hand, psychological skills training is completely ignored, or inadequate if employed, in lower levels of competition. For this sample, individuals in lower levels of competition lacked the psychological skills acquisition that was present in elite runners.

Reliability, factor structure, and construct validity of the Polish version of the sport imagery ability measure

<b>Background</b><br /> An important component of mental training in sport is the utilization of positive imagery. The “human brain cannot distinguish between an imagined experience and a real experience. The same areas of the brain light up in an imagined experience or imagined performance as in a real experience or performance. For that reason, positive performance imagery has enormous potential” (Orlick, 2008, p. 101). Imagery “has been described as a centre pillar of applied sport psychology” research (Morris, Spittle, & Perry, 2004, p. 344). The aim of the present study was to examine reliability and validity characteristics of the Polish language version of the Sport Imagery Ability Measure (SIAM).<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> Polish athletes (N = 316) from a range of sports and competitive levels completed the 48 item SIAM. The participants (163 male, 153 female) were aged between 12 and 57 years (M = 22.15, SD = 8.25).<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Results indicated that the SIAM had sound internal consistency and maintained good stability over a 3-week period. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the a priori 3-factor structure of the SIAM resulted in a set of acceptable and poor fit indices (CFI = .91, NFI = .90, RMSEA = .12). Finally, differences in athletes’ imagery abilities were examined in relation to competitive level, gender, and age.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> Overall, results generally supported the reliability and construct validity of the Polish version of the SIAM.

The Imagination in Sport Questionnaire – reliability and validity characteristics

<b>Background</b><br /> Imagery is an effective performance enhancement technique. Imagery has been described previously in a range of psychological domains. Measuring imagery is critical in research and practice in sport. Self-report questionnaires are the most regularly used method. The aim of the present study was to examine reliability and validity characteristics of the Imagination in Sport Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Wyobraźni w Sporcie – KWS).<br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> Five and hundred eight (N = 326 – study I; N = 182 – study II) Polish athletes completed questionnaires (169 male, 156 female – study I; 139 male, 43 female – study II), aged between 12 and 57 years (M = 22.08, SD = 8.18 – study I; age 19-24, M = 20.46, SD = 1.1 – study II), at different competitive levels and recruited from various sports disciplines.<br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Results indicated the maintained good stability and internal consistency over a 3-week period. Results of confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the 7-factor structure of the KWS resulted in acceptable model fit indices (NC = 2416.63, df = 1203, GFI = 0.944, AGFI = 0.944, CFI = 0.786, RMSEA = 0.056, p (RMSEA < 0.05) = 0.002 – first study; NC = 2234.39, df = 1203, GFI = 0.673, AGFI = = 0.640, CFI = 0.691, RMSEA = 0.069, p (RMSEA < 0.05) = = 0.000 – second study). Concurrent validity was supported by examination of the relationships between the KWS subscales and the SIAM (Sport Imagery Ability Measure) in Polish adaptation. In addition, differences in athletes’ imagery ability were examined across competitive levels, and in relation to both gender and age.<br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> Overall, the results supported the reliability and construct validity of the KWS.

Psychometric characteristics of the Spanish version of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire.

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ), which assesses cognitive and motivational functions of imagery use. Participants were 361 athletes (234 male and 127 female) with a mean of age of 24.29 ± 7.76 yrs. Athletes were recruited from 31 sports across three competitive levels (i.e., regional, national, and international). Confirmatory factor analyses of the 30-item five factor SIQ model revealed adequate fit to the data, c²(378) = 694.6, CFI = .91, TLI = .90, RMSEA= .05, SRMR= .05. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed that athletes of higher competitive level reported significantly higher levels of cognitive general and cognitive specific imagery. Overall, these results provide further support for the claim that the SIQ has a reproducible factor structure and internal consistency for measuring imagery use in Spanish athletes.

Sport Imagery Among Open Skill Players

The present study was investigated to assess the sport imagery among open skill players. For the assessment of sport imagery among open skill players, a descriptive study is designed in which survey method was employed. For the purpose of present study, forty five (N=45) male inter-college level players of 19 to 25 years of age group was selected through purposive sampling technique to act as subjects from affiliated colleges of Panjab University, Chandigarh. To collect the required data for the present study, sport imagery questionnaire prepared by hall et al., 1998 was administered. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to find out the intra-group differences (Open skill players i.e. Basketball, Softball and Football players) Where F values found significant, Least Significant Differences (LSD) Post-hoc test was applied to find out the direction and degree of difference. To test the hypotheses, the level of significance was set at 0.05. It is concluded that results revealed Significant differences have been observed on the sub-variables; cognitive specific, cognitive general, motivational generalarousal, motivational general-mastery and on the variable sport imagery (total). However, no significant differences have been observed on the sub-variable; motivational specific.

Jak ve sportu pomáhá představivost?

This paper deals with the possibilities of using imagery (imagination) in sports to improve performance by psychological means. This mental technique is often used by athletes to improve their sports performance. It is also used as an intervention technique by sports psychologists and more recently coaches for athletes. Abroad, the Training schedule of imagery in sports psychology training is widely developed. The numbers of researchers dealing with the technique of imagery in sport psychology is rising. The essence is to create a mental image of highest quality, and a vivid picture of successful execution of what we want to improve in our performance. This paper deals with the theoretical aspects of the imagery, its characteristics, structure and detailed aspects of the use in sports.

Using Motivational General-Mastery Imagery to Improve the Self-efficacy of Youth Squash Players

The current study examined whether an individualized motivational general-mastery MG-M imagery intervention consisting of daily imagery practice and weekly one-on-one guided imagery sessions could enhance self-efficacy in youth squash athletes (N = 5; M age = 10.80; SD = 1.93). A single-subject multiple-baseline design was employed spanning 13–18 weeks. Measures included the Sport Imagery Questionnaire for Children (Hall, Munroe-Chandler, Fishburne, & Hall et al., 2009) and a squash-specific self-efficacy questionnaire. Results indicated improvements in self-efficacy for 3 of the 5 athletes. The results from this study help inform researchers and practitioners regarding the use of MG-M imagery as a means to improve young athletes’ self-efficacy.

Unsettling America: the uses of Indianness in the 21st century

How Indianness Matters Now: An Introduction I. Old Battles 1. George Bush May Not Like Black People, But No One Gives a Damn About Indigenous Peoples: Visibility and Indianness after the Hurricanes 2. Embattled Images in the Marketplace: Commodity Racism, Media Literacy, and Struggles over Indianness II. Ongoing Wars 3. On Being a Warrior: Race, Gender, and American Indian Imagery in Sport 4. Defending Civilization from the Hostiles: Notes on the Ward Churchill Affair 5. Always Enemy Combatants? The Killing of Osama bin Laden and the Native American Struggle for Humanity III. New Fronts 6. Borrowing Power: Racial Metaphors and the Struggle Against American Indian Mascots 7. Alter/native Heroes: Native American Books, and the Struggle for Self-Definition 8. De/Scribing Squ*w: Indigenous Women and Imperial Idioms in the United States Reclaiming Indianness: Notes Toward a Conclusions

Goal Orientation and Imagery Use for Collegiate Elite Basketball Athletes

The purpose of this study had two major reasons. Firstly, it was to examine different motivational profiles of collegiate elite basketball athletes on the functions and amounts of imagery used. Secondly, it was to compare the different competition levels and gender of basketball athletes on goal orientation and imagery used. There were 283 elite basketball athletes (male 151, female 132) drawn from colleges completed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ) to assess goal orientation dispositional, frequency and function of imagery use. A two-stage cluster analysis on the TEOSQ scores revealed a three-cluster solution. One-way MANOVA (independent) was used to analyze the differences on imagery use among cluster groups and to analyze differences on goal orientation and imagery use at different competition levels and gender. The results showed both Cluster1 (moderate task/high ego) and Cluster3 (high task/low ego) used significantly more five types of imagery use than Cluster2 (low task/low ego) did. The first level of competition did better on both specific cognitive and specific motivation of imagery use than the second level of competition did. And male athletes had significantly more scores on five type of imagery use than female athletes did. According these findings concluded the role of achievement motivation in influencing collegiate elite basketball athletes’ behavioral investments in imagery use, and the imagery use was influenced by different competition level and gender of basketball athletes.

The Impact of the Judo’s Mental Imagery Learning on the Imaging Ability among High Institute Students

Mental imagery involves the athletes’ imagery themselves in a specific environment or performing a specific activity. Different uses of imagery in sport include: mental practice of specific performance skills, improving confidence, and positive thinking, problem solving, controlling arousal and anxiety, performance review and analysis, preparation for performance and during imagery, (plessenger., 2009). Our study aims to identify the effect of a learning program of mental imagery method in judo standing on the imaging ability. 48 students male divided into three groups of 16, (mean age 21.0 ± 1.85) voluntarily participated in this study. Group 1, has a judo mental imagery learning; group 2 has an observational judo learning and group 3 has an analytical judo learning. The revised movement imagery questionnaire (MIQ-R) developed by Hall & Martin (1997) was used in our study before and after the training programs in order to evaluate the ability of imagery overall the subjects. The statistical data shows that there is progress in the imaging capacity through the application of the three learning methods warranted by the results of the Student test, which is significant at P <. 001 in favor of the mental imagery group.