Psychology

The current increased stress in a number of competitions can result in athletes to react in both mental and physical manner which may negatively influence their performance capabilities. They may perhaps be nervous, anxious or worried of the competition outcomes and thus find it difficult to focus on the chore in hand. This has made several coaches to develop an escalating interest in sport psychology and especially in the field of managing competitive anxiety. The interest has particularly concentrated on techniques which athletes may utilize in the competitive circumstances in order to optimize and maintain their performance (Murray, 2009). Imagery is among such techniques used by athletes to relax and focus their entire attention in an optimistic manner on the task of participating in competition. It is defined as a mental technique that can modify, strengthen or create pathways pertinent to the coordination muscles by purely training with mind. This mental technique is based on the essential principle that an individual can exercise brain parts with imagination inputs rather than from senses (Murray, 2009). The objectives of this paper are to discuss
The importance or benefits of imagery technique to athletes
How to implement imagery technique
The psychological study findings and theories of imagery technique

Imagery is an athletes armory in gaining the enchanting edge in a competition, as it provides confidence, concentration, commitment and control to the athletes. These 4Cs are considered the major mental qualities which are imperative for triumphant performance in various sports. Confidence emanates from the comparison made by an athlete between the objective and their capability (BrianMAC, 1997). Imagery makes athletes believe that they can achieve their set goals and thus makes them acquire self confidence. When athletes have self confidence they will tend to show enthusiasm, keep trying even in difficult times, be optimistic in their strategies and ready to take their share of accountability in fail and success. Besides, imagery offers an athlete with concentration ability, which is a mental quality that enables him or her to concentrate on the chore in hand. If athletes encompass inadequate concentration, then their athletic capabilities will never be efficiently or effectively utilized to the task.

Similarly, imagery assists athletes gain emotional control in the face of adversity thereby remaining positive. This is very significant to triumphant or successful performance of an athlete. Anger and anxiety are the major emotions which are frequently linked to poor performance of any athlete. Imagery is used by athletes to lessen anxiety, especially mental anxiety (negative thoughts, lack of concentration and worry). When an athlete is angered, the source of anger often becomes his or her main focus. This compromises focus on the task, deteriorates both performance and confidence of an athlete, thus imagery is used to curb such greasy slope to failure (Rushall and Lippman, 1997).

Furthermore, commitment is very important for any sport performance, as athletes should commit themselves fully. However, several factors, such as injury, lack of enjoyment and mental anxiety can undermine an athletes commitment to his or her goals thereby deteriorating performance. Imagery technique helps an athlete to set goals in order to become extra committed to realizing them. That said, various sports, such as tennis, skating and golf not only need physical skills, but a sturdy mental game too. There is a general preaching by most coaches that sports are ninety percent mental and only ten percent physical. This is very true, especially in sports, where tenths of an inch or hundredths of a moment separate the winners from mediocre athletes and an extra edge may be tremendously essential. Hence, several athletes are embracing and turning towards imagery technique in an attempt to take their performance abilities to the highest level (Rushall and Lippman, 1997).

Implementing imagery technique is an individual preference, as there has never been an accurate way to practice it. It can be done off or on the field and includes longer and shorter versions (Murray, 2009). The longer version includes activities, such as lying down and closing eyes in completely quite room and this frequently lasts from fifteen minutes to about an hour. The version is often utilized before the match and assists prepare the athletes mentally. Here, the athletes rehearse a perfect performance, frequently visualizing a full match point by point (Murray, 2009). The shorter version only lasts for a few seconds and this can be utilized during the competition. For instance, before serving, a tennis or volleyball player may visualize a perfect serve to a desired point. This version of imagery technique is very useful and vital, since it familiarizes the players with high  shot sequences, developing expectation skills for a more effective and quicker response during the real point. Another way in which various athletes implement imagery technique is during lifting weights, bike rides and rowing. Since they apply physical energy as they do mental rehearsal, it assists facilitate the real competition (Foster, 1990).

That aside, psychological researches conducted on imagery technique during 1960s and 1970s were rather not consistent due to dissimilar confounds, such as lack of reliable controls and subjects. Besides, researchers applied a diversity of skills, as they were not precisely sure what subjects ought to do when engaged in imagery practice. However, today there is adequate reliable evidence which supposes imagery technique can get better motor performance in an assortment of sports. Isaac (1992) conducted a research that examined the effect of imagery practice on sport skills. While previous studies on the subject indicated an optimistic influence of imagery technique on sports, they were never carried out in the real field context utilizing subjects who learned real sport ability rather than mere new motor tasks. Isaac eradicated this particular limitation in her study. She as well tested the assumption of whether individuals who have enhanced images as well as control over their images lead to better performances (p, 192). The outcomes of her study indicated a substantial disparity in the low and high imagers. The high imagery groups demonstrated much more improvement in performance than the low imagery group. The study therefore posits that in spite the level of skill or ability (experienced or beginner) imagery technique proves to be very effectual in improving the performance of the players (p, 198).

In recent research carried out by Roure et al (1998), found 6 definite autonomic nervous system responses that associated with imagery rehearsal and thus enhancing sports performance. The experiment revealed the correlation existing between actual physical tasks and imagery rehearsals on better performances in sports. In addition, the study indicated that imagery techniques when well utilized induce a definite pattern of autonomic reactions to players thereby positively affecting their performance (p, 108). Other psychological studies conducted have showed that imagery mental techniques not only improve athletic performance, but improve intrinsic motivation as well. Whats more, imagery does not only work in adult, but in children too (Hall, 1995). The outcomes in a study which examined children using this technique indicated that children who utilized it had substantial improvement in the quality and accuracy in their performance compared to the control group. This therefore provides an ample opportunity to children to learn imagery skills at a tender age which can finally offer them better control over their anticipated destiny (Orlick, 1992).

Sports psychologists over the years have tried to comprehend the exact mechanisms which enable imagery technique to work. A number of theories exist, though sports psychology encompasses no single theory that explains fully the efficient and effectiveness of imagery technique. The psychoneuromuscular theory developed by Carpenter in 1894 remains the earliest theory which presumes that imagery rehearsal reproduces the real motor pattern which is being rehearsed (Paivo, 1985). His assumption is that motor patterns that are produced during imagery versions are no different from those utilized for physical practice. However, a prominent symbolic learning theory differs with Carpenter supposition that imagery technique works because of muscle activation. Symbolic learning theory presumes that imagery works due to opportunity to practice symbolic elements of the motor task. It therefore assumes that learning attained from imagery practice correlates with cognitive learning.

A more topical model that places more weight on psychophysiology goes a mile further by including a definite meaning of the word image (Murphy, 1990). The model is referred to as Ahsens Triple Code Model of imagery (ISM). Ahsen believes that there are 3 fractions to an image. The first fraction is that image ought to be centrally touching sensation, so as to depict the actual world. It should have all ascriptions of a sensation and must provide the imager with much more realism to an extent of enabling him or her to interact with it as if were the actual world. Secondly, image results in a somatic response existence. Thus, the very step of imaging leads to psycho-physiological transformations within the body. Finally, the third fraction of the image is the real sense of the image. Ahsens ISM model supposes that each and every image has a substantial meaning and definite meaning can entail something unrelated to different individuals. Since individuals have unique upbringings and backgrounds, Ahsens model presumes that the real internal image meaning can be quite dissimilar for each person, even if the set imagery conditions are similar (Murphy, 1990).

In conclusion, imagery as a mental technique used by athletes appears beneficial and promising on improving the performance in sports. Though it cannot be used as a substitute to physical practice, imagery is not as important and beneficial as physical practice. Hence, any amalgamation of imagery, mental training and physical practice appears to be the greatest for athletes. Virtually all available evidences, including researches have indicated that imagery mental training enhances motor skills. In recent years researches have further proved that imagery or visualization can enhance numerous skills linked to sports in the real field situations. Therefore, it is apparent that imagery mental practices are beneficial to each and every sports person who would like to take his or her performance to the next level. Whether a professional athlete or recreational, the benefits emanating from imagery mental practice proved triumphant at any level of competition. Thus, a club player who craves to defeat team mates, or professional athletes who desire to be on top should incorporate imagery mental technique together with physical practice in order to be successful in this uphill dream.