Psyching Up for a Muscular Endurance Task: Effects of Image Content on Performance and Mood State

in Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Click name to view affiliation

Christina LeeUniversity of Newcastle, Australia

Search for other papers by Christina Lee in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

There is a shortage of evidence regarding exactly how mental imagery works to enhance performance. This study sought to determine whether it is the imagining of the task that is crucial or simply the positive aspects of a mental image. In the first experiment, 52 male students used task relevant imagery, task irrelevant imagery, or a distraction control procedure before performing an analogue task. Those in the task relevant condition showed significantly greater improvements over baseline. The second experiment involved 142 male students and included assessment of mood state following psyching up. Again the task relevant group showed significantly greater improvements, which were not related to mood states. These findings suggest that the specific content of mental imagery is crucial in determining its effect on performance. The effect does not appear to depend on alterations of mood state and may operate through cognitive preparation.

Christina Lee is with the Department of Psychology, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2735 1060 44
Full Text Views 72 31 3
PDF Downloads 81 41 7