Munroe, K., Hall, C., Simms, S., & Weinberg, R. (1998). The influence of type of sport and time of season on athletes' use of imagery. The Sport Psychologist, 12, 440-449.

The influence of time of competitive season and type of sport on athletes' use of imagery was examined. Varsity athletes (M = 239; F = 111) from 10 different sports completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire early and late in a competitive season.

Cognitive Specific imagery increased as the season progressed in fencing, field hockey, rugby, soccer, and wrestling. Motivational Specific, Motivational General-Master, and Motivational General-Arousal imagery increased significantly over the competitive season in rugby, soccer, and wrestling. Most sports increased in Motivational Specific imagery. For all sports, except badminton, Cognitive General imagery increased.

Implication. The type and content of imagery changes over a competitive season, but the specific elements of those changes depend upon the sport.

[Cognitive general imagery -- strategies of play; Cognitive specific imagery -- execution of skills; Motivation General-Mastery -- staying focused and working through problems; Motivation General-Arousal -- arousal, stress, and anxiety that may accompany performance; Motivation Specific -- specific goals and outcomes]

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