İmgeleme ve İçsel Konuşma Düzeyleri Arasındaki İlişki: Profesyonel Sporcular Örneği

Relationship Between Imagination and Self-Talk Levels: The Example Of Professional Athletes

Musab Çağın, Gönül Tekkurşun Demir, Sevinç Namlı, Hüsnü Kocaman

¹Gazi University, Sport Science Faculty; Ankara/Turkey; musabcagin@gazi.edu.tr

²Gazi University, Sport Science Faculty; Ankara/Turkey; gonultekkursun@hotmail.com

³Erzurum Technical University, Sport Science Faculty; Erzurum/Turkey; sevinc.namli@erzurum.edu.tr

⁴Gazi University, Sport Science Faculty; Ankara/Turkey; husnu.kocaman@gazi.edu.tr

*Correspondence: musabcagin@gazi.edu.tr

Doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23676044

https://www.ijoss.org/Archive/v3-i3/ijoss-Volume3-issue3-04.pdf

Download Full Text

Received / Gönderim: 25.06.2026 Accepted / Kabul: 24.10.2026 Published / Yayın: 25.10.2026

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between sport imagery and self-talk in 358 elite athletes (200 female, 158 male) competing at the highest competitive tier in their respective sports. A cross-sectional relational survey used the Turkish Sport Imagery Questionnaire and Self-Talk Questionnaire. Pearson correlations were retained; their significance levels and confidence intervals were calculated from reported coefficients and sample size. Training-frequency comparisons were reconstructed from reported group summaries. Imagery and self-talk were positively associated (r = .221, p < .001). Sport experience was associated with imagery (r = .257, p < .001), but its association with self-talk was not significant (r = .017, p = .749). Approximate ANOVA results indicated differences in imagery across weekly training groups, F(2, 355) = 145.005, p < .001, η² = .450. Tukey–Kramer comparisons indicated higher imagery scores in both the 4–5-session and 6+-session groups than in the 1–3-session group; the two higher-frequency groups did not differ significantly (p = .174). Self-talk did not differ significantly across training groups (p = .525).

Keywords: Sport, Imagery, Self-Talk, Elite Athletes

ÖZ

Bu araştırmada, kendi branşının en üst müsabaka kademesinde yarışan 358 elit sporcunun (200 kadın, 158 erkek) sporda imgeleme ve içsel konuşma düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Kesitsel ilişkisel tarama desenindeki araştırmada Sporda İmgeleme Envanteri ve Kendinle Konuşma Anketi kullanılmıştır. Bildirilen Pearson korelasyon katsayıları korunmuş; anlamlılık düzeyleri ve güven aralıkları bu katsayılar ve örneklem büyüklüğünden hesaplanmıştır. Antrenman sıklığı karşılaştırmaları bildirilen grup özetlerinden yeniden hesaplanmıştır. İmgeleme ile içsel konuşma arasında pozitif ilişki bulunmuştur (r = .221, p < .001). Spor deneyimi imgeleme ile ilişkili (r = .257, p < .001); içsel konuşma ile anlamlı ilişki bulunmamıştır (r = .017, p = .749). Yaklaşık ANOVA sonuçlarına göre imgeleme puanları antrenman grupları arasında farklılaşmıştır, F(2, 355) = 145.005, p < .001, η² = .450. Tukey–Kramer karşılaştırmalarında haftada 4–5 ve 6+ antrenman yapan grupların imgeleme puanları 1–3 antrenman yapan gruptan yüksektir; iki yüksek sıklık grubu arasında anlamlı fark yoktur (p = .174). İçsel konuşma puanları antrenman grupları arasında anlamlı biçimde farklılaşmamıştır (p = .525).

Anahtar Sözcükler: Spor, İmgeleme, İçsel Konuşma, Elit Sporcular

How to Cite This Article

APA 7

Çağın, M., Demir, G. T., Namlı, S., & Kocaman, H. (2026). Relationship between imagery and self-talk levels in elite athletes. International Journal of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, 3(3).982-993

Vancouver

Çağın M, Demir GT, Namlı S, Kocaman H. Relationship between imagery and self-talk levels in elite athletes. International Journal of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences. 2026;3(3). 982-993

References / Kaynaklar

• Akman, D. (2019). Yetişkin sporcuların imgeleme, içsel konuşma ve stresle başa çıkma biçimlerinin zihinsel dayanıklılık ile ilişkisinin incelenmesi [Master’s thesis, Marmara University]. Marmara University Library. https://katalog.marmara.edu.tr/veriler/yordambt/cokluortam/5C/5d70ed84dddd3.pdf
• Anderson, A. (1997). Learning strategies in physical education: Self-talk, imagery, and goal-setting. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 68(1), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.1997.10604874
• Bayköse, N. (2014). Sporcularda kendinle konuşma ve imgeleme düzeyinin optimal performans duygu durumunu belirlemedeki rolü [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Selçuk University.
• Browne, M. A., & Mahoney, M. J. (1984). Sport psychology. Annual Review of Psychology, 35, 605–625. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.35.020184.003133
• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Demir, G. T., Namlı, S., Çakır, E., Batu, B., Ateş, F., Yılmaz, E., Güvendi, B., Kocamaz Adaş, S., & Çağın, M. (2025). The role of mental toughness, sport imagery and anxiety in athletic performance: Structural equation modelling analysis. BMC Psychology, 13(1), Article 869. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03250-6
• Ekizoğlu, Ö., Acet, M., & Toros, C. (2024). Profesyonel voleybolcuların zihinsel dayanıklılık, imgeleme ve içsel konuşma düzeylerinin stresle başa çıkma biçimlerine etkisi. Research in Sports Science, 14(2), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.5152/rss.2024.23024
• Engür, M. (2011). Performans başarısızlığı değerlendirme envanteri ve kendinle konuşma anketi’nin Türk sporcu popülasyonu’na uyarlanması ve uygulanması [Doctoral dissertation, Ege University]. Ege University Institutional Repository. https://acikerisim.ege.edu.tr/items/4011ed69-3277-4a1c-ba5f-03a27c2c90d5
• Feltz, D. L., & Riessinger, C. A. (1990). Effects of in vivo emotive imagery and performance feedback on self-efficacy and muscular endurance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 12(2), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.12.2.132
• Fritsch, J., Feil, K., Jekauc, D., Latinjak, A. T., & Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (2024). The relationship between self-talk and affective processes in sports: A scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 482–515. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2021.2021543
• Gammage, K. L., Hall, C. R., & Rodgers, W. M. (2000). More about exercise imagery. The Sport Psychologist, 14(4), 348–359. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.14.4.348
• Gökalp, H. A. (2026). The investigation of the relationship between athletes’ levels of imagery, self-talk, and athlete engagement. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences – IJSETS, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1838117
• Hall, C. R., Mack, D. E., Paivio, A., & Hausenblas, H. A. (1998). Imagery use by athletes: Development of the Sport Imagery Questionnaire. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 29(1), 73–89.
• Hanrahan, S. J., & Andersen, M. B. (Eds.). (2010). Routledge handbook of applied sport psychology: A comprehensive guide for students and practitioners. Routledge.
• Hardy, J., Gammage, K. L., & Hall, C. R. (2001). A descriptive study of athlete self-talk. The Sport Psychologist, 15(3), 306–318. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.15.3.306
• Hardy, J., Hall, C. R., & Hardy, L. (2005). Quantifying athlete self-talk. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(9), 905–917. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410500130706
• Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Theodorakis, Y., & Zourbanos, N. (2004). Self-talk in the swimming pool: The effects of self-talk on thought content and performance on water-polo tasks. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 16(2), 138–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200490437886
• Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Zourbanos, N., Galanis, E., & Theodorakis, Y. (2011). Self-talk and sports performance: A meta-analysis. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(4), 348–356. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691611413136
• Kartal, Z., Güvendi, B., Türksoy, A., & Altıncı, E. E. (2017). Takım sporcularının imgeleme kullanımları ile başarı motivasyonları arasındaki ilişki. İstanbul Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(1), 41–53. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/iuspor/article/279971
• Kızıldağ, E., & Tiryaki, M. Ş. (2012). Sporda imgeleme envanterinin Türk sporcular için uyarlanması. Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 23(1), 13–23. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/sbd/article/171339
• Liu, Y., Zhao, S., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., Liang, T., & Ning, Z. (2025). The effects of imagery practice on athletes’ performance: A multilevel meta-analysis with systematic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(5), Article 685. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050685
• Mellalieu, S. D., & Hanton, S. (Eds.). (2009). Advances in applied sport psychology: A review. Routledge.
• Neck, C. P., & Manz, C. C. (1992). Thought self-leadership: The influence of self-talk and mental imagery on performance. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13(7), 681–699. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030130705
• Nergiz, S., Bayköse, N., & Yıldız, M. (2015). Kendinle konuşma: Modern ve halk dansları yapan bireylerin kendileriyle konuşma durumları. Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 9(Özel Sayı), 40–49. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/bsd/article/712606
• Reinebo, G., Alfonsson, S., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Rozental, A., & Lundgren, T. (2024). Effects of psychological interventions to enhance athletic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 54(2), 347–373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01931-z
• Rushall, B. S., Hall, M., Roux, L., Sasseville, J., & Rushall, A. C. (1988). Effects of three types of thought content instructions on skiing performance. The Sport Psychologist, 2(4), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2.4.283
• Şahin, A., Bayköse, N., & Civar Yavuz, S. (2017). Does the undergraduate athletes’ self talk levels affect imagery levels? Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, December Special Issue for INTE 2017, 867–871. https://www.tojet.net/special/2017_12_2.pdf
• Swann, C., Moran, A., & Piggott, D. (2015). Defining elite athletes: Issues in the study of expert performance in sport psychology. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 16(Part 1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.07.004
• Tekin, M., & Ulukan, M. (2020). Okçuların imgeleme becerileri ile dikkat düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Turkish Studies–Educational Sciences, 15(4), 3099–3110. https://doi.org/10.47423/TurkishStudies.43631
• Van Raalte, J. L., Vincent, A., & Brewer, B. W. (2016). Self-talk: Review and sport-specific model. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.08.004
• Weinberg, R. (2008). Does imagery work? Effects on performance and mental skills. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.2202/1932-0191.1025
• Weinberg, R. S., Smith, J., Jackson, A., & Gould, D. (1984). Effect of association, dissociation and positive self-talk strategies on endurance performance. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 9(1), 25–32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6705126/
• Yarayan, Y. E., & Ayan, S. (2018). Farklı takım sporlarında olan sporcuların imgeleme biçimlerinin incelenmesi. Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 11(60), 1416-1421.
• Zervas, Y., Stavrou, N. A., & Psychountaki, M. (2007). Development and validation of the self-talk questionnaire (S-TQ) for sports. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 19(2), 142–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200601185156