Why do athletes visualize performance?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Mental rehearsal engages networks involved in planning movement
Mental rehearsal fully replaces physical skill practice — Mental rehearsal does not fully replace physical practice. It cannot reproduce the forces and sensory feedback of performing the movement, so it is generally used as a complement.
Mental rehearsal works only by raising motivation — Motivation is not the only possible effect of mental rehearsal. Imagining a movement also engages parts of the nervous system involved in preparing and controlling it.
Mental rehearsal engages networks involved in planning movement ✓ — Imagining movement engages networks involved in motor planning even without overt movement. This offers a way to rehearse aspects of a skill alongside physical practice, although effects vary by task and method.