Self-efficacy and imagery use in older adult exercisers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and imagery use in older male (n = 40) and female (n = 52) exercisers. Participants’ self-efficacy was evaluated using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Exercisers, and their use of imagery was evaluated using the Exercise Imagery Questionnaire. Results revealed that older adult exercisers were most efficacious in terms of the task, followed by scheduling physical activity into their daily routines, and finally overcoming barriers related to physical activity. Older adult exercisers also reported using appearance and technique imagery to much the same extent, but used both significantly more than energy imagery. In addition, energy imagery predicted task self-efficacy but none of the three functions of imagery predicted barrier and scheduling self-efficacy.     

Comparing self-report and mental chronometry measures of motor imagery ability

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between two of the most common measures of motor imagery ability, self-report ratings, and chronometric assessment. This was done for three types of imagery modalities: external visual imagery (EVI), internal visual imagery (IVI), and kinesthetic imagery (KI). Measures of imagery ability (i.e. self-report and mental chronometry) were also compared across skill levels. Participants (N?=?198) completed the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-3 (MIQ-3) to generate self-report ratings. Chronometric assessment was obtained by recording the duration of each MIQ-3 movement imaged and physically performed and then calculating a discrepancy score. There were no significant correlations between self-report and mental chronometry for any of the three motor imagery types (p?>?.05). When assessing the different types of motor imagery ability using self-report ratings, elite athletes had significantly higher KI than IVI, which was in turn significantly higher than EVI (p?<?.05). When assessing motor imagery ability using mental chronometry, there were no significant differences in imagery type (p?>?.05). Findings suggest both measures address different components of MI quality and should be used together to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of motor imagery ability.     

Movement and stretching imagery during flexibility training

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of movement and stretching imagery on increases in flexibility. Thirty volunteers took part in a 4 week flexibility training programme. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) movement imagery, where participants imagined moving the limb they were stretching; (2) stretching imagery, where participants imagined the physiological processes involved in stretching the muscle; and (3) control, where participants did not engage in mental imagery. Active and passive range of motion around the hip was assessed before and after the programme. Participants provided specific ratings of vividness and comfort throughout the programme. Results showed significant increases in flexibility over time, but no differences between the three groups. A significant relationship was found, however, between improved flexibility and vividness ratings in the movement imagery group. Furthermore, both imagery groups scored significantly higher than the control group on levels of comfort, with the movement imagery group also scoring significantly higher than the stretching imagery group. We conclude that the imagery had stronger psychological than physiological effects, but that there is potential for enhancing physiological effects by maximizing imagery vividness, particularly for movement imagery.     

On the role of imagery modalities on motor learning

Abstract

In the present study, we examine specifically how the sensory conditions available during physical practice of a task might influence the subsequent use of motor imagery. First, as a pre-test, participants had to physically reproduce knee joint positions with or without vision. Second, they practised motor imagery (15 and 150 trials) with visual, kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery. A control group with no imagery was included. Post-tests were then performed 10 min and 24 h after each imagery session in a sensory condition similar to that used in the pre-test. Results showed that efficient motor imagery instructions have to take account of the sensory information available during physical experience of the task: kinaesthetic or visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a no-vision condition, and visual imagery or, to a lesser extent, visuo-kinaesthetic imagery in a vision condition. Discussion focuses on the role of sensory motor memory on motor prediction to simulate a specific movement, and on the similarities between physical and mental practice in the development of sensory-specific movement representation.     

从三种选举方式看中国农村基层党组织的民主建设

农村基层党支部的选举从组推直选到"两票制"(两推一选)和"一推一测一选"的发展,体现了当前我国农村基层民主化程度已经大大提高,农民群众的民主意识和民主素质也大大增强.三种选举方式有利有弊,但总的来说,是农村基层党组织建设的一个有益探索,是民主选举的一个大胆尝试.     

会议口译需要注意的几个问题

随着全球化进程,中国正越来越多地融入国际社会,因此,更需要优秀的会议口译员。本文介绍了会议口译的几种主要形式并通过作者的实践和观察,从口译准备、译员素质、口译笔记、译员礼仪以及职业道德等方面阐述了会议口译应注意的几个问题。     

上善若水"的哲学意蕴

老子以水喻道:渊深虚静;孔子以水述理:知、仁、恒;禅宗从水见质:净、空、明。儒、释、道、诗人共同演绎完成的"水"的意象,充分体现出中国人特有的宇宙精神。     

社会变迁过程中的复杂性

和日常社会生活过程一样，社会的变迁过程也是一个具有高度复杂性的过程。吉登斯、莫兰等人对此都做过一定的论述，但他们的论述都有局限性。本以美国学皮奥雷和撒贝尔有关现代工业生产技术变迁的一项研究成果为例，具体分析和说明了应该怎样全面准确地描述和理解社会变迁过程的复杂性。     

中国文学中“狼”意象的文化原型与流变

通过对中国古代文学中“狼”作为文化原型的探索,“狼”文化原型在中国传统文学中的流变以及在现代以来“狼”原型文化意义的复归三个阶段的探讨,论证了《狼图腾》在当代中国文坛所造成的轰动正是由于其迎合了人们潜意识中对“狼”性的渴求。     

论《红楼梦》"花落人亡"的悲剧意味

在《红楼梦》中，落花即是死亡。落花意象中包蕴的死亡意识，既是对黛玉等女儿们心灵深层无法挥去的死亡阴影的艺术表现，又是作痛彻心扉的人生悲剧的意象化展示。而作的看似缺少悲壮和崇高之感的死亡叙述，在确证那个时代的生存痛苦的同时，也引发了我们对历史、化和自身生命的反思。