Exercise imagery: Its nature and measurement.
Abstract
The lack of research on imagery use by exercisers and the success of imagery use by athletes—for both motivational and cognitive functions—highlights the need to examine imagery use by exercisers. Thus, the general purpose of the present research was to (a) examine the nature of exercise imagery and (b) develop a questionnaire to assess exercise imagery. To this end three research phases were undertaken. Phase 1 examined the nature of imagery use by exercisers and Phases 2 and 3 involved the development and psychometric analysis of the Exercise Imagery Questionnaire-Aerobic Version (EIQ-AV). Results of Phase 1 revealed that 75.7% of the exercisers (N = 144) reported using exercise imagery for both motivational (e.g., goal attainment and psychological management) and cognitive (e.g., performance enhancement and learning) purposes. In Phases 2 and 3, the psychometric analysis of the EIQ-AV revealed three factors (i.e., Energy, Appearance, and Technique) with adequate internal consistency estimates. Suggestions for future research on exercise imagery and with the EIQ-AV are discussed.
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Imagery can support faster learning of new skills, increase motivation, and confidence.
“Imagery can support faster learning of new skills (Caliari, 2008), increase motivation (Hausenblas et al., 1999), and confidence (Callow and Waters, 2005).”
From Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Psychological Skills Training (PST): a case study (2025) · cites this paper as Hausenblas et al., 1999
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- Authors
- Hausenblas, H. A., Hall, C. R., Rodgers, W. M., & Munroe, K. J.
- Affiliations
- Western University (CA)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1999-09
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 171-180
- ISSN
- 1041-3200 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-1571
- OpenAlex
- W1990396744
- Cited by
- 147
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 3.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Sports and Physical Education Research
- Keywords
- exercise imagery, mental imagery, exercisers, questionnaire development, psychometric properties, goal achievement, psychological management, performance improvement, learning
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