What is mental practice typically characterized by?

Mental practice is characterized by cognitive rehearsal of a physical skill. This involves an individual visualizing themselves performing a task or skill without physically executing it. Through mental practice, athletes or learners engage in a form of visualization that enhances performance by allowing them to mentally experience the execution of a skill in their mind. This can improve timing, focus, and efficiency in real-life application, ultimately leading to better physical performance.

While physical repetition focuses on the actual execution of skills, mental practice is based on the cognitive aspect rather than physical actions. The combination of verbal and physical practice introduces an element of instruction alongside physical execution, which does not fully capture the essence of mental practice. Lastly, augmented feedback refers to external information provided to learners to improve their performances, which is distinct from the mental skill rehearsal that defines mental practice. The core of mental practice lies in its emphasis on mental rehearsal rather than physical execution or external feedback.