Gender differences among varsity basketball and volleyball players in imagery ability, frequency of use, and function

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of gender on varsity athletes' imagery ability, frequency of use and function. A total of 51 varsity basketball and volleyball players completed a sport-specific modified version of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ-2) (Martens, 1982) and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ-1) (Hall, Mack, Paivio & Hausenblas, 1998) to assess athletes' imagery ability and function of imagery used, respectively. Two-way ANOV As identified that gender differences existed in varsity athletes' imagery ability, frequency of use and function. Specifically, the results revealed that males used significantly more imagery during practices and game breaks than female varsity athletes. Additionally, males were more successful at using the kinesthetic component of imagery than females. Gender differences were also identified for athletes' function of imagery used, with males using more cognitive specific (CS) imagery compared to females. Two-way ANOV As also examined main and interaction effects by gender and sport for imagery. The results of the study suggest that gender differences are present in varsity athletes' imagery ability, frequency of use and function, with males showing higher ability and use than female varsity athletes'.