M ENTAL IMAGERY is a multisensory experience that occurs without the need of actual perception (Murphy, Nordin & Cumming, 2008). Athletes frequently adopt imagery to mentally rehearse physical skills, and generate feel- ings and emotions commensurate with the forthcoming overt performance (Weinberg, 2008). Previous studies have demonstrated as a covert rehearsal strategy imagery can enhance the learning of motor skills (Taktek, Zinsser & St-John, 2008), control anxiety levels (Vadocz, Hall & Moritz, 1997), improve the interpretation of symptoms contributing to competition anxiety (Mamassis & Doganis, 2004; Sheard & Golby, 2006), and increase intrinsic motivation (Martin & Hall, 1995). With some studies identifying that imagery can serve both cognitive and motivational functions (Paivio, 1985) and elicit a positive influence upon athletic performance (Hall et al., 1998; Weinberg, 2008). As a result of these find- ings applied practitioners have integrated imagery into various psychological skill training programmes aimed at enhancing athletic performance (e.g. Thelwell, Green- lees & Weston, 2006). Because interest in athletes use of imagery has grown so have the number of models designed to enhance the efficacy of imagery use (e.g. Cumming & Williams, 2013; Guillot & Collet, 2008; Holmes & Collins, 2001; Martin, Moritz & Hall, 1999). Indeed, the aforementioned research activity has added to our knowledge regarding imagery’s influence upon sport performance, yet discernable gaps in under- standing the types of imagery athletes’ expe- rience still exist. This is in part a consequence of a predominant research focus on the deliberate retrieval and voli- tional control of imagery. That is, athletes choose imagery for a predetermined func- tion then organise suitable content from memory to re/construct images that facili- tate specific outcomes (Vealey & Greenleaf, 2010). For example, athletes use five different imagery types to facilitate different athletic goals (Hall et al., 1998), these include cognitive specific (rehearsal of sport skills), cognitive general (strategies and game plans), motivational specific (goal- orientated behaviours), motivational general-arousal (sport specific arousal and emotions), and motivational general-mastery 34 Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, Vol. 11 No. 1 © The British Psychological Society 2015 Original Article An investigation into athletes’ intrusive visual imagery John K. Parker, Martin I. Jones & Geoff P. Lovell The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between athletes’ (N=209) intrusive visual imagery and vividness of visual imagery ability. The study also examined athletes’ differences in level of intrusive visual imagery according to competitive level (recreational, university, county, and national). A Pearson bivariate correlation indicated participants intrusive visual imagery and vividness of visual imagery ability self-report scores were not significantly correlated (r=.07, p=.32). Competitive level differences amongst participants did not factor in the level of intrusive visual imagery reported. The findings indicated that some athletes experience intrusive visual imagery but there is a requirement to progress research regarding involuntary imagery processes within athletic populations. Keywords: intrusive; involuntary; imagery; applied sport imagery intervention.