Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(8): 316-319, 2011 ISSN 1991-8178 Corresponding Author: Reza Rezaee shirazi, Department of physical Education, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran. E-mail: rezaii725@yahoo.com 316 Comparison of Mental Imagination Skill of Male and Female Athletes of Individual and Team Athletic Fields 1 Reza Rezaee Shirazi, 1 Amir Dana, 2 Firozeh Jalili, 3 Fatemeh Behzadi 1 Department of physical Education, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran. 2 Department of physical Education, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran. 3 Department of physical Education, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran. Abstract: Aim: aim of current research was comparison of intrinsic and extrinsic imagination skills of male and female athletes of individual and team athletic fields of Golestan Province. Method: method of this study was semi empirical field study which was conducted by questionnaire. Statistical universe of this study was all male and female athletes of Golestan province. 170 of total including 105 male and 65 female were chosen randomly. In this study for considering intrinsic imagination skill VMIQ questionnaire and for extrinsic imagination VVIQ questionnaire was used. Results and findings: results of t test indicated that: 1- there is significant difference between intrinsic imagination skill of male and female athletes of team athletic fields and males are better in intrinsic imagination.(p<0/05) 20 there is significant between extrinsic imagination skill of male and female athletes of individual athletic fields and males have higher extrinsic imagination skill.(p<0/05) 3- extrinsic imagination of male and female athletes of team fields was significantly higher than individual fields.(p<0/05) 4- intrinsic imagination skill of individual field was significantly higher than team fields.(p<0/05). Discussion and conclusion: These findings are discussed according to higher imagination skills of males compared to females and also nature of different athletic fields. Key words: Intrinsic and extrinsic imagination skills- male and female athletes of individual and team fields. INTRODUCTION Undoubtedly the most important factor in learning motor skills is improving characteristics or factors of physical and motor preparation. Factors of physical preparation such as power, speed, etc and motor factors such as agility, balance, etc are necessary skills or characteristics for achieving special motor skills. Although physical exercise is most common way of practicing skill or physical capacity, this kind of practice requires using proper athletic facilities and environment (Bahrami, 2006). Mental imagination is one of psychological methods in which one uses imagination for creating a performance in mind. Such an imagination has an effect similar to creating neuro impulse which is created during real performance (Hemayat, 2008). Along with learning skills and reaching to higher levels in performance, creating proper coordination between mind and body become important. Physical psychologists have discussed importance of attention and thinking control. Individuals benefit from methods such as imagination which is broadest method in this context. Many studies recently have increased scientific insight in relation to mental imagination. One of the aspects of imagination which is increasingly focused is its effect on performing athletic skills (Bohan, 1999; Epsteinl., 1980). Studies of Feltz indicated that mental techniques are the most common techniques in improving athletics performance (Feltz., 2007). Nowadays talent-finding process in athletes is used increasingly for recognizing potential capacities. In this process, different athletic field professionals, according to certain parameters, choose individuals who have the capacity of reaching high level of championship. It’s considerable that parameters used by professionals are usually physical indicators and psychological indicators are less considered. Although usually variants related to physical structure and skill are requirements of reaching top of performance and are good predicting tool for later performance, recognition of psychological variants for success in a special afield is very important. In other words, without considering motivational factors in individuals and only with having physical indicators