“Imagery is regarded as one of the most popular and effective techniques to enhance the learning and performance of skills and strategies to regulate arousal and anxiety, and to modify cognitions.”
Imagery, also referred to as visualization, mimics a real experience in any situation; during this practice the individual uses imagery to mentally view pictures in his/her mind and associate sounds and smells to the image.
This psychology technique is commonly recommended to and used by athletes – the athlete is encouraged to close their eyes and play a scene of an event of their performance in the mind and “see” themselves reigning victory over this feat.
There have been many research studies conducted on athletes utilizing this technique and its effectiveness. One such investigation consisting of 295 Division I collegiate male and female athletes tested the use of imagery on their sport specific weight training program. Statistical analyses of the study included descriptive statistics of all variables as well as a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to evaluate the difference between gender, imagery experience, training season, and motivation level. The results from this study showed “seeing” images of obtaining an externally fit body as a result of weight training was the most effective following images of perfect lifting technique while performing an exercise. These results provide practical application for strength coaches where it is highly recommended athletes utilize this technique for positive benefit.
To view the synopsis of this study, click here.
This study, as well as other investigations that evaluates the use of imagery, has direct association to the Law of Attraction. If you are not familiar with this, the Law of Attraction, simply put, is the things, people, and places us as individuals are attracted to and use the power of our mind to obtain these attractions. For instance, a simple attraction is the desire to score an A on a test. The method of applying this law is by visualizing, or using imagery, receiving the graded test with a big fat letter “A” written on the top of the paper. When “seeing” this graded test, the individual should literally go through the emotions one would feel when receiving an exceptional grade on a test that was studied very hard for.
In three simple steps, the law is applied by:
1) Asking what you want
2) Answer the question
3) Receiving the answer through literally feeling and mentally seeing the desired outcome.
This law follows the simple nature of like attracts like. If there is a positive feeling about the outcome then the outcome will most likely be positive however if there is a negative feeling then the outcome will respond in that manner.
With this being said, informing all athletes (young, old, male, and female) of this law, this “secret” to obtaining success, and encouraging them to apply it to their physical and mental training then there is a better likelihood of a reality in success. More importantly, this practice can be applied to all areas of life, not just athletic performance.
Click to learn more on the Law of Attraction.
*A disclaimer about the LOA - the reason this was included in the article is to support the use of visualization in athletic performance because research shows that the mind cannot differentiate between reality and mental practice. In the end, the technical nature of this law goes against my spiritual belief for the fact that it encourages self-prosperity, however, it is in my Faith that God is the one who provides. With this being said, it seems my inclusion of the law is contradictory. When applying the practice from this I have God in the front of my mind an in my heart, however, if an individual who does not know God watches this then it may lead them to a false understanding of the "secret" to happiness. All things are possible through Him.
