Use of imagery practice to cope the competition in canoe slalom

Abstract

In canoe slalom, Imagery Practice (IP), or visualization, is one of the most used mental preparation techniques as a pre-competition routine. This work presents a psychological intervention to improve the coping strategy for competition of a canoe slalom athlete (n=1; 25 years old), through the combined use of IP and self-talk. The intervention was carried out over a six-month period, integrating regular training and psychological work, with weekly follow-up (online or in person) by the psychologist, to design, practice and consolidate different types of IP (and associated self-talk), according to the competition needs (coping with possible adversities, course analysis, execution preparation, activation adjustment and pre-start concentration). The IP was integrated into the competition plan, and its application and effects were monitored after each competition, through self-registers and feedback with the psychologist. The results showed positive effects of the application of IP on the confidence in one’s own resources, the chosen race plan, mood and adaptability capacity. It is concluded that the integrated training of IP and its systematic application as a pre-competitive routine positively impacts coping with competition.