Professional athletes increasingly use visualization techniques, mentally rehearsing their performances before competitions. Studies show that athletes who spent 20 minutes daily visualizing successful movements showed improvement nearly equal to those who physically practiced. Brain scans reveal that mental rehearsal activates the same neural pathways as actual physical movement.
Based on the passage, it can be inferred that
physical practice is unnecessary for athletic improvement
only professional athletes can benefit from visualization
brain scans are unreliable tools for studying cognition
mental practice may contribute to skill development through neural mechanisms
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Visualization improves performance and activates same brain pathways.
- Context clues: Mental rehearsal shows "improvement nearly equal" to physical practice; activates "same neural pathways."
- Meaning: Shared neural activation explains why mental practice develops skills.
- Verify: The brain doesn't fully distinguish between imagined and real movements.
💡 Strategy: When brain evidence explains behavioral outcomes, infer the neural mechanism.
Choice A is incorrect because improvement was "nearly equal," not superior to physical practice. Choice B is incorrect because the passage doesn't limit benefits to professionals. Choice C is incorrect because brain scans are used as valid evidence.