2023, Volume 19, Issue 1

Visualization vs. imagery in mental training

Paweł Piepiora¹, Kazimierz Witkowski<sup>1

1</sup>Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland


Author for correspondence: Paweł Piepiora; Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland; email: pawel.piepiora@awf.wroc.pl

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Abstract

This article first introduces the trend of cognitive psychology and its influence on the discipline of physical culture sciences, resulting in the emergence of the field of mental preparation. Then the difference between the most popular mental exercises of visualization and imagery has been outlined. In applied sports psychology, visualization and imagery refer to different goals of mental training and these terms cannot be used interchangeably. The final section mentions the support of visualization by augmented reality (AR). This trend is particularly evident among the younger generation of athletes.

Key words: sports psychology, cognitive psychology, sports, mental preparation, sports competition