ABSTRACT
This chapter evaluates the efficacy of mental practice as a psychological strategy for enhancing athletes' concentration and performance. The term mental practice (MP), also known as visualisation, refers to the systematic use of mental imagery in order to rehearse symbolically physical movements prior to their actual execution. Alternatively, it may be defined as the cognitive rehearsal of actions without overt performance of the movements involved. Survey and anecdotal reports reveal that this type of rehearsal is used extensively by athletes for a variety of practical purposes, ranging from skill learning to anxiety control. Neuromuscular accounts of mental practice suggest that visualisation causes faint innervations to occur in the muscles that are actually used in the physical performance of the skill being rehearsed. Evidence to support the efficacy of mental practice as a psychological technique for performance-enhancement comes from both anecdotal and scientific sources. The chapter mentions some of the anecdotal testimonials to the power of visualisation.
