Imagery in Sport


Book Description

It has long been known that almost all elite athletes use imagery and that most sport psychologists apply imagery in working with athletes. But most material on the subject has been, to this point, relegated to single chapters in books, to journal articles, or to conference proceedings. Now Imagery in Sport addresses the breadth of what researchers and practitioners in sport psychology know about the topic, and it treats each issue in depth, considering current theories and research on imagery and its application in sport. The reference also addresses future directions in research and practice for imagery in sport. In doing so, Imagery in Sport provides the most comprehensive look at the state of imagery and its uses in sport today. The authors take readers step by step through understanding, investigating, applying, and advancing imagery in sport. The text includes the following: -Sample scripts, preperformance suggestions, and sport-specific and site-specific tips -Presentation and critical analysis of 10 well-known theoretical frameworks for understanding imagery -A full chapter devoted to understanding and successfully using the available measures of imagery in sport, including how to administer imagery-ability measures Imagery in Sport takes complex theories and presents them clearly, using examples from everyday sport contexts. The book helps readers become familiar with the current knowledge about the topic and learn to view it with a critical eye. And it provides practicing sport psychologists with guidelines and strategies for using imagery to help athletes improve their performances.




The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Performance Psychology


Book Description

This title describes current research findings in the study of human performance Experts from all fields of performance are brought together, covering domains including sports, the performing arts, business, executive coaching, the military, and other applicable, high-risk professions.




Sport Imagery Questionnaire


Book Description

Imagery, in today's world of sport psychology, is as vital and fundamental a part of an athlete's mental game plan as the physical training required for conditioning. With a widespread embrace of such a philosophy comes new ways to analyse and measure its performance among athletes. In 'The Sport Imagery Questionnaire: Test Manual' the authors assess athletes' use of imagery by proposing and outlining a specifically designed evaluation of its effectiveness, the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ). The Manual is designed for sport psychologists, coaches, athletes, or anyone who seeks to understand or quantify the use of mental imagery in sport. Features: A 4-page reproduction of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire in an easy-to-photocopy format, complete with instructions and specific rating chart; A 'Scoring the SIQ' section to calculate imagery performance; A brief overview of the SIQ clearly and explicitly outlining its purpose and function; 3 comprehensive chapters dedicated to understanding imagery, explaining the methods involved in both developing and successfully utilising the SIQ, and the psychometric properties and normative data of the questionnaire itself.




Imagery in Sports and Physical Performance


Book Description

Focuses on the use of imagery in sports. This work features contributors who are experts in their area, and together they have assembled the most relevant data produced by research and offer practical suggestions.




Sport Visualization for the Elite Athlete


Book Description

Sport visualization skills, the ability to create mental images of a perfect athletic performance in your mind, are extremely powerful tools for helping individuals achieve their athletic best. Legendary sports figures use it because it helps them win, and these are their proven techniques for personal training.




Visual Athletics


Book Description




Train Your Mind for Athletic Success


Book Description

Much too often, the mental aspect of sport performance is overlooked. While all top athletes are in outstanding physical condition and technically exceptional, mental preparation is often what separates the best from the rest. This is just as true for young athletes as it is for pros and Olympians. And even though relatively few athletes will ever reach the top of their sport, the attitudes and life lessons learned from mental training—such as motivation, confidence, focus, perseverance, and resilience—will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. In Train Your Mind for Athletic Success: Mental Preparation to Achieve Your Sports Goals, Dr. Jim Taylor uses his own elite athletic experience and decades of working with some of the world’s best athletes to provide competitors of every ability with insights, practical exercises, and tools they can use to be mentally prepared when it really counts. His Prime Sport System explores the attitudes that lay the foundation for athletic success, the mental obstacles that can hold athletes back, the preparations they must take, the mental muscles they should strengthen, and the mental tools they need to fine tune their competitive performances. Most importantly, Dr. Taylor shows athletes practical strategies they can use to become mentally strong so they can perform their best when it matters most. Train Your Mind for Athletic Success goes well beyond the typical mental skills that are discussed in other mental training books. Readers will not only learn why mental preparation is so important to athletic success, but also where they personally are in each area thanks to brief mental assessments in each section of the book. In addition, each chapter includes exercises to show athletes how to incorporate mental training directly into their overall sport training regimen. The most comprehensive and in-depth book on mental preparation for athletes available, Train Your Mind for Athletic Success is an essential read for athletes, coaches, and parents.




Advances in Applied Sport Psychology


Book Description

Advances in Applied Sport Psychology aims to bridge the gap between research and practice in contemporary sport psychology. Now available in paperback, the book draws together reviews of cutting edge research in key areas of applied sport psychology, assesses the implications of this research for current practice, and explores future avenues of research within each thematic area. This book surveys the scientific literature underpinning the most important skills and techniques employed in contemporary sport psychology, examining key topics such as: imagery goal setting self-talk stress management team building efficacy management attention control emotion regulation mental toughness. Representing the most up-to-date review of current scientific research, theory and practice in sport psychology, this book is a vital resource for all advanced students, researchers and practitioners working with athletes and sports performers.




Exploring Sport and Exercise Psychology


Book Description

The growing field of sport and exercise psychology offers an abundance of opportunities for clinical practice. For instance, a sport and exercise psychologist might work with elite or professional athletes, use exercise therapeutically with clients, conduct workshops for parents and youth sport coaches, or implement a community-based physical activity intervention. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the field of sport and exercise psychology. Several chapters review common performance enhancement interventions, including goal setting, imagery, cognitive strategies, intensity regulation, and modelling. Additional chapters review interventions for health and well-being. Recommendations are provided for assessing, treating, and referring clients with psychopathology, and considerations pertaining to special populations are also detailed, including work with youth sport participants, college student-athletes, elite athletes, and culturally diverse groups. The book concludes with a discussion of professional issues in sport and exercise psychology, including education, certification, how to integrate this specialty into existing clinical practice, and the unique ethical challenges of working in this area. With its comprehensive scope and emphasis on both research and application, this book is a rich resource for both practitioners and students interested in learning more about applying psychology in sport and exercise settings.




Sports Performance


Book Description

This book focuses on sports performance. According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, "performance" refers to "how well or badly a person, company etc. does a particular job or activity" and "high performance" describes "cars, computers etc. that are able to go faster, do more work etc. than normal ones". In the 100-m dash Usain Bolt is indubitably the fastest person in history and Javier Sotomayor, the world record holder in the high jump, has exhibited the highest level of performance in this event. In these contests, the index of sports performance is unitary; it is simply the time or the jumping/throwing distance. What is it that allows such performers to achieve the fastest running time or the highest jump? One of the topics covered in this book is an attempt to clarify some of the unique motor skills and/or physical abilities that underlie such high performances. This book comprises a compilation of updated reviews on performance in various sports, including both basic and applied research and is divided into three parts. The central theme of Part I is the brain. Basic research on human locomotion, motor imagery, and cognitive function are included in this part. In Part II, the focus is on basic information involving high performance in sports, including the athletes’ physiology, genetics, nutrition and biomechanics. In Part III, entitled “Performance and Coaching in Various Sports”, the latest findings involving skills and performance in individual sports are presented. These performances are thoroughly described and to the extent possible, explained utilizing observations that involve applied biomechanics, coaching science and information technology. In the e-book version, videos and images are available, which provide valuable information on movement in sports. This book will awaken a deeper and more sophisticated interest in exceptional sports performance, not only in specialists such as researchers, athletes, and coaches, but also in laypeople who enjoy participating in and watching sports.