Developing a Holistic Athlete: A Consultant\u27s Reflections on Implementing PETTLEP Imagery

Previous imagery research has focused mainly on how imagery interventions can improve performance or the learning of a motor skill. Therefore, it is important to understand whether or not implementing imagery interventions can enhance the athlete as a performer and as a person. The current case study is a consultant’s account of the implementation of a 4-week PETTLEP imagery intervention with club level softball athletes. PETTLEP is an acronym for seven factors (i.e., Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, and Perspective) that practitioners should consider when implementing an imagery intervention (Holmes & Collins, 2001). Imagery involves using the five senses to create an experience in the mind. The 4-week intervention consisted of psychoeducation and activities centered on teaching the seven factors associated with PETTLEP imagery. The consultant’s reflections and lessons learned are presented. Of high importance, a strong working relationship needs to be built between the athlete and practitioner and various elements of the PETTLEP model need to be progressively implemented into the program to limit the possibility of overload and to assess which aspects of imagery are most useful for the individual athlete