The
neural isomorphism with overt behaviors offers a tempting mechanism to explain the beneficial outcomes
of the two processes. However Imagery, in the context of sport, may be considered as the neural
generation or regeneration of parts of a brain representation/neural network involving primarily topdown
sensorial, perceptual and affective characteristics, that are functionally equivalent to the actual
sporting experience, under the conscious control of the imager and which may occur in the absence of
perceptual afferences. Observation, in the context of sport, may be considered as the neural stimulation
of a brain representation/neural network involving primarily bottom-up sensorial, perceptual and
affective characteristics, that are primarily under the subconscious control of the observer and which
may occur in the presence of afference functionally equivalent to the actual sporting experience