Mental practice in sport psychology: Where have we been, where do we go?

Abstract

Research on mental practice for sport performance enhancement is reviewed in this article, which discusses current trends in the use of mental practice by elite athletes and coaches, research findings that appear conclusive, trends supported by research results, and theories to explain mental practice. Recommendations for research designs include operationally defining “mental practice,” organizing classifications of tasks studied, describing mental practice content, assuring equal trials, matching participants, using placebo controls and collecting follow-up data, and considering more complex research designs. Recommendations for practice Include (a) teaching imagery skills, (b) Including relaxation, (c) increasing repetitions of trials, (d) defining the content precisely, (e) using stimulus and response propositions, and (f) alternating physical and mental practice.

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