Welcome to

Sport and Exercise

Psychology

Welcome to

Sport and Exercise

Psychology

Putting the Course in Context

Sport as a microcosm of Life:

•sport reflects life•meaning of sport

“Sport is an important extension of humanity, and the best of athletic competition is in the ideal of competing for the joy of it . . . To see something clean and noble in it . . . To appreciate your personal accomplishments in proper perspective”

Brutus Hamilton, Olympic track coach of the 50’s --

“Baseball was a way to make myself a better person”

--Sadaharu Oh --

Sport and Exercise

Psychology The scientific study of

people and their behaviors in sport and exercise activities and

the practical applications of that knowledge.

Science of Sport and Exercise Psychology

A process, or method, of learning about the world through the systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical filtering of knowledge acquired through experience.

Science

Describe

Explain

Predict

Control

Goals of Science

ROLE OF

THEORY

Scientific Study

A set of interrelated facts presenting a systematic view of some phenomenon in order to describe, explain, and predict its future occurrences.

Theory

Example: Social facilitation theory

Understanding Professional Practice Knowledge

Professional practice knowledge is what we learn through experience, using many methods of knowing.

Single case study

Personal and sharedexperience

Introspection

Systematic observation

Scientific method

Methods of Knowing

Sport and Exercise Psychology as an Art and Science

The science of coaching, teaching, or leadership focuses on using general scientific principles.

The art of coaching, teaching, or leadership is knowing when and how to individualize these general principles.

Two Objectives of Sport and Exercise Psychology

2.Understand the effects of participating in physical activity on psychological development, health, and well-being.

1.Understand the effects of psychological factors on physical and motor performance.

How does anxiety affect a basketball player’s accuracy in free-throw shooting?

Typical questions studied in sport and exercise psychology: Psychology affects performance

Does lacking self-confidence influence a child’s ability to learn to swim?

How does a coach’s reinforcement and punishment influence a team’s cohesion?Does imagery training facilitate the recovery process in injured athletes and exercisers?

Objective 1

Does running reduce anxiety and depression?

Typical questions about how physical activity affects our psychological life:

Do young athletes learn to be overly aggressive from participating in youth sports?

Does participation in daily physical education classes improve a child’s self-esteem?Does participation in college athletics enhance personality development?

Objective 2

Children

Sport and exercise psychology applies to a broad population base:

Average athletes

The physically and mentally challenged

Coaches, teachers, and fitness leaders

Seniors

Exercisers

Elite athletes

Three roles

What Sport and Exercise Psychology Specialists Do

ResearchAdvance knowledge and share it through

professional meetings and journal articles.

TeachingTeach university courses

either in psychology or exercise

and sport science.

ConsultingWork with athletes of all ages

and abilities; work in the fitness industry and in sportsmedicine/physical therapy.

Sport Psychology Specialties

Clinical Sport Psychologists

Licensed psychologists

Trained to work with individuals with severe emotional disorders

Trained to help athletes with issues like eating disorders and substance abuse

Performance & team Enhancement Issues

Educational Sport Psychology Specialists

Use mental coach approach —understand psychology of human movement & performance.

Have training in physical education, kinesiology, or exercise and sport science.

Educate and increase athlete and coach awareness of issues such as anxiety management and confidence development.

Relationship of Sport Science and Psychology Sport and Exercise Psychology