Mental Imagery Research in Physical Education

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present a framework for researching mental imagery use in school-based physical education. Mental imagery use has been researched quite extensively over the past 50 years in the areas of motor learning and sport psychology. Much has been learned regarding the benefits of using mental imagery to improve learning and performance. This article has drawn parallels between school-based physical education and the areas of sport psychology and motor learning. Based on findings in the areas of motor learning and sport psychology, and the similarities drawn between school-based physical education and these two areas, it could be expected that mental imagery use in school-based physical education has the potential to produce many benefits in learning and performance for both students and teachers. However, to date there has been very little research conducted with regard to mental imagery use and physical education. This article provides a research framework identifying questions that need to be addressed in order to more fully understand the potential imagery use has for both students and teachers in school-based physical education.