Imagery procedures utilized by visually impaired athletes for the sport of goal ball.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate imagery procedures used by visually impaired athletes prior to and during competition. Individual in depth interviews were conducted with 15 visually impaired goal ball players, competing at a national level. The results indicate that regardless of the degree of visual impairment, these athletes used imagery on a daily basis for functioning effectively within their handicap. Due to their lack of vision, a great deal of feeling and sound was incorporated into their imagery. Suggestions are made for the enhancement of "feeling oriented imagery" with sighted persons.