Thesis
Investigating Mental Imagery Experiences in Elite Australian Athletes
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Master of Arts, University of the Sunshine Coast
2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00367
Abstract
Research has consistently found that mental imagery is capable of influencing sporting performance of athletes. The general analytic framework has suggested that mental imagery serves five functions, increasing performance of skills and tactics, increasing motivations to succeed, reducing negative emotions associated with performance, and increasing mental toughness. However, the effect of mental imagery use is influenced by an athletes' ability to control their imagery, where imagery that is not controlled effectively can hinder performance. Intrusive visual imagery is a phenomenon where athletes experience a performance-related image that increases the likelihood of an athlete not performing well. A literature review explores how mental imagery use enhances performance, and how mental imagery use is influenced by the performance context (e.g., training or competition context), type of sport, and gender. This literature review also investigates the role vividness of visual imagery, metacognitive beliefs, negative affect, and stress in intrusive visual imagery experiences in clinical and general populations. The first research paper aims to identify differences in mental imagery use between male and female athletes and between training and competition contexts. It was identified that males use mental imagery significantly more than females, and only male athletes use mental imagery more prior to competing. The second research paper investigated if metacognitive beliefs predict intrusive visual imagery in athletes. Two metacognitive beliefs: The Uncontrollability of Thoughts and Their Danger metacognitive belief and the Need to Control Thoughts metacognitive belief were found to predict intrusive visual imagery. Lastly, a general discussion, where limitations, applications, and future directions are discussed, is included.
Details
- Title
- Investigating Mental Imagery Experiences in Elite Australian Athletes
- Authors
- James Bierton
- Contributors
- Geoff Lovell (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Master of Arts
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00367
- Organisation Unit
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450673002621
- Output Type
- Thesis
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