

When used effectively, this technique results in better performance, both directly and indirectly via improvements to, among other things, motivation, confidence, and attentional focus. Imagery is deliberately employed by athletes and exercisers to achieve a range of affective, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Consequently, imagery is the most appropriate term to describe this cognitive process. As well as being able to see the scenario, imagery allows an individual to feel associated movements and bodily sensations, and experience the sounds, smells, and even tastes related to the actual situation. However, it is well known that mentally simulating an experience can involve multiple sensory modalities. Second, the term visualization implies that imagery only contains a visual component. Therefore, imagery and mental rehearsal are not synonymous, but imagery use does fall within the category of mental rehearsal.

First, although imagery is a popular type of mental rehearsal, this term encompasses a variety of mental techniques athletes and exercisers employ such as observation and self-talk.

The terms mental rehearsal and visualization are sometimes used to refer to imagery, but this can be misleading for two reasons. As a conscious process that is deliberately employed by an athlete or exerciser to serve a specific function, it is distinctly different from daydreaming or just thinking about something. Imagery involves internally experiencing a situation that mimics a real experience without experiencing the real thing.
