MECHANISMS OF VISUALIZATION

Creating polysensory mental experiences

Mental imagery in sport is not simply "daydreaming"; it is a structured psychological technique that involves the creation or recreation of an experience in the mind.

This process must be polysensory, i.e., not limited to the visual alone, but incorporate all possible senses to enhance the vividness of the image: sounds, smells, tactile sensations and, crucially, the kinesthetic sensation of movement.

The aim is to prepare the athlete, increase motivation and plan the execution under mentally controlled conditions. To illustrate this, consider a motor racing driver.

Instead of simply "seeing" himself driving, an effective visualization would involve feeling the vibration of the steering wheel in his hands, hearing the engine revving, smelling the burning rubber and fuel, and sensing the G-force on his body as he takes a sharp turn.

By enriching the image with these sensory details, the mental experience is so close to reality that the brain processes it as a valid rehearsal, reducing anxiety and improving familiarity with the task before getting into the car.

Activation of neuromuscular connections without physical movement.

The scientific basis of visualization lies in its ability to strengthen neural connections.

When an athlete vividly imagines performing a specific skill, many of the same brain areas and neuromuscular pathways are activated that are used during actual physical performance.

This means that brain synapses can be triggered and the motor pattern reinforced without physical wear and tear, which is especially helpful during periods of injury or recovery.

Imagine a concert pianist who has broken a finger and is unable to play.

During his recovery, he mentally practices his pieces, visualizing the movement of each finger on the keys and hearing the notes in his head.

Even though his hands are immobile, his motor cortex is sending low-threshold signals to the muscles, keeping the neural "highways" active.

This mental rehearsal allows that, when he returns to the piano, his technical skill and muscle memory of the piece have been maintained or even improved, despite the physical inactivity.

Summary

Mental imagery is a structured technique that goes beyond the simple act of daydreaming. It should be a polysensory experience that incorporates sounds, smells and, fundamentally, the kinesthetic sensation of movement.

The main objective is to prepare the athlete through vivid mental simulations. By enriching the image with accurate sensory details, the brain processes the experience as real, reducing anxiety and increasing familiarity.

Visualization activates the same neural connections as actual physical performance. This allows reinforcing motor patterns and maintaining active technical skill, even during periods of physical inactivity or recovery.