Biddle, S. H. (1985). Mental preparation, mental practice and strength tasks: a need for clarification. Journal of Sports Sciences, 3, 67-74.

". . . mental practice of weightlifting skills may take place many minutes before physical performance, but the lifter may then switch to a psyching strategy just before the lift itself." (p. 71)

Learning-imagery [imagery used to enhance the instructional process] is more involved in symbolic representation and reinforcement of previously learned motor skills while performance-enhancement imagery is best used as a more immediate pre-performance strategy.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.