Deliberate Imagery Practice

Abstract

This study examined the reliability of a retrospective recall methodology for providing evidence of deliberate imagery practice. A secondary purpose was to determine which imagery activities constituted the sport-specific definition of deliberate practice (Starkes, Deakin, Allard, Hodges, & Hayes, 1996). Ninety-three Canadian athletes from one of three different competitive levels (regional, provincial, and national) completed the Deliberate Imagery Practice Recall Questionnaire, which was specifically designed for the present study. The athletes also completed a 1-week imagery diary to assess their use of 14 different imagery activities. The results of the study indicated that the athletes were able to reliably estimate their use of imagery over a short recall interval. Four imagery activities were also determined to fulfill the sport specific definition of deliberate practice.

Key words:

• deliberate practice
• mental practice
• sport

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Cumming

Please address all correspondence concerning this article to Jennifer Cumming, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, England, UK. Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone].