Is controllability of imagery related to canoe-slalom performance?
This study investigated the relationship of controllability of mental imagery with canoe-slalom performance. Controllability of mental imagery was assessed by an objective test of mental rotation, the Mental Rotations Test. This test was administered to both elite (n = 19) and intermediate (n = 12) athletes. Predictive validity of the controllability test was supported by a significant correlation between test scores and race rank-order for the elite canoeing group (rs = 0.42, p<.05); however, it did not distinguish elite from intermediate groups (t29 = 0.98, p>.05). Researchers should attempt to evaluate vividness of imagery, controllability of imagery, and accuracy of reference to understand more fully the nature of athletes' imagery.
MacIntyre
Tadhg
T
Department of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland. tadhg.macintyre@ucd.ie
Moran
Aidan
A
Jennings
Domhnall J
DJ
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation; D011340:Problem Solving; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*