Mental imagery activates the same areas of the brain as actual physical training.
Mental imagery, also called visualization, is a powerful mental preparation technique used by athletes.
What makes it particularly fascinating is that it activates the same neural circuits as the actual physical execution of movements. In other words:
When an athlete accurately visualizes a sporting action, the brain reacts in the same way as if they were physically performing it.
How does it work?
When you imagine yourself performing a technical move – for example, a shot on goal or a racket stroke – your brain sends electrical signals to the muscles involved, even if they are not moving.
These neural signals are comparable to those sent during actual practice. This shows that mental imagery allows for invisible training , with measurable effects on performance.
Convincing scientific evidence (see references at the end of the article)
Neuroscience studies have shown that athletes who use mental imagery can strengthen the neural connections responsible for sport-specific movements.
A group of researchers has discovered that mental imagery activates the brain's motor cortex, the area responsible for planning and executing movements. Athletes who mentally train thus improve their coordination, precision, and fluidity when actually performing the movements.
The benefits for athletes
One of the great advantages of mental imagery is that it allows athletes to repeat movements without the physical constraints of traditional training.
This is particularly useful during periods of injury, where mental imagery can maintain the quality of technical performance while allowing the body to rest.
In addition, regular visualization boosts self-confidence , creating a sense of familiarity and control before a competition.
How to use it effectively?
To maximize the effects of mental imagery, it is important to follow a few principles:
First-person visualization : Imagine the scene as if you were experiencing it, not as an outside spectator.
Sensory details : Incorporate sensations such as touch, sound, and even smell to make the experience as realistic as possible.
Regular repetition : Practice imagery daily to strengthen neural circuits related to specific sporting actions.
All these principles are detailed on the CVPM training platform.
Mental imagery, far more than a simple visualization exercise, is a true brain training that produces concrete results.
By activating the same neural areas as physical training, it allows athletes to improve without physical constraints, and to optimize their mental and technical performance.
At CVPM , we integrate this technique into our mental preparation programs to help you make the most of your abilities, whether you are an amateur or a professional.
Scientific references
Decety, J., & Jeannerod, M. (1995). Mental simulation of action: a functional framework for motor cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience , 2(6), 549-558.
This article explores how mental simulation of actions engages neural networks similar to those used during physical execution, supporting the idea that motor imagery can enhance athletic performance.
Pascual-Leone, A., Dang, N., Cohen, LG, Brasil-Neto, JP, Cammarota, A., & Hallett, M. (1995). Modulation of muscle responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation during the acquisition of new fine motor skills. Journal of Neurophysiology , 74(3), 1037-1045.
This study demonstrates that mental practice of motor movements leads to changes in the motor cortex similar to those observed with actual physical practice.
Lotze, M., & Halsband, U. (2006). Motor imagery. Journal of Physiology - Paris , 99(4-6), 386-395.
The authors examine how motor imagery activates the same neural networks as the actual execution of the movement, based on functional neuroimaging studies.
Guillot, A., & Collet, C. (2008). Construction of the motor imagery integrative model in sport: a review and theoretical investigation of motor imagery use. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology , 1(1), 31-44.
This article proposes an integrative model of motor imagery in sport, arguing that mental imagery can improve performance by activating specific brain areas.
Holmes, P. S., & Collins, D. J. (2001). The PETTLEP approach to motor imagery: a functional equivalence model for sport psychologists. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , 13(1), 60-83.
The authors introduce the PETTLEP model, which suggests that motor imagery is most effective when designed to be functionally equivalent to real-life practice, thereby activating similar brain areas.
Munzert, J., Lorey, B., & Zentgraf, K. (2009). Cognitive motor processes: the role of motor imagery in the study of motor representations. Brain Research Reviews , 60(2), 306-326.
This review discusses the role of motor imagery in motor cognitive processes, highlighting the activation of brain areas common between imagery and actual execution.
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