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THIS is the second of a four part series on Visualization in Sports. Read the first article here.

Image via Wikipedia

In the first of the four part series on Visualization, we saw how Dr. Blaslotto verified the power of visualization on basketball players.

Since then, sports excellence and visualization training have always been mentioned in the same breathe, and National teams are known to spend as much as 50% of total training time on mental training and visualization.

So Why Does Visualization Have The Same Effect As The Physical Training Itself?

Behind every action is a neural pathway. Whenever you take a certain action, you create a neural pathway. Initially the neural pathway is just a thin thread, however the more you take the same action, the thicker the neural pathway became.

When the neural pathway becomes as thick as a highway, we formed what we call habits.

However it does not matter whether you physically or mentally construct the neural pathway. Whether you physically take an action, or you imagine yourself taking the action, the brain would not be able to tell.

That is the true power of visualization.

In sports, we aim to achieve perfection whether it is in the gracefulness of a gymnastic routine or a David Beckham free kick.

While it is technically possible to achieve perfection via physical training, it is often constrained by several factors. Chiefly, the main limitation is human fatigue. You cannot expect someone to hit the perfect free kick, with the precise amount of strength and accuracy for 1000 times.

But you can achieve the same level of precision for every one of the 1000 free kicks you practiced in your mind! While mental training might not guarantee a perfect performance the next time you take to the stage, it will certainly enhance your success than if you merely practice physically.

Dr. Blaslotto has a more scientific way of explaining the phenomenal effect of visualization on performance.

“Not only does a visualized experience condition the human brain, but it will also program the human body.”

“This mind-body connection brought about by visualization is known as the video motor concept. As your brain conceives of an act, it generates impulses that prompt neurons to ‘perform’ the movement being imagined by transmitting those impulses from the brain to the muscles.

“According to this concept, if you close your eyes and visualize yourself doing something, your body’s actions are programmed in exactly the same manner as if you actually did them,” Dr. Blaslotto said.

Indeed, you can be as precise and imaginative in your visualizations as you want to.

Read The Next Article In The Series
>> Part 3 - What Is Visualization?