Welcome
Welcome to
Sport
Sport and
and Exercise
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
Science
A process, or method, of learning
about the world through the
systematic, controlled, empirical,
and critical filtering of knowledge
acquired through experience.
Goals of Science
Describe
Explain
Predict
Control
ROLE OF
THEORY
Scientific Study
Theory
A set of interrelated facts
presenting a systematic view of
some phenomenon in order to
describe, explain, and predict its
future occurrences.
Example:
Social facilitation theory
Understanding Professional Practice
Knowledge
Professional practice knowledge
is what we learn through
experience, using many methods
of knowing.
Methods of Knowing
Scientific method
Systematic observation
Single case study
Personal and shared
experience
Introspection
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
1. Understand the effects of
psychological factors on physical
and motor performance.
2. Understand the effects of
participating in physical activity
on psychological development,
health, and well-being.
Objective 1
Typical questions studied in sport and exercise
psychology: Psychology affects performance
How does anxiety affect a basketball
player’s accuracy in free-throw shooting?
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 2
Typical questions about how physical activity affects our
psychological life:
Does running reduce anxiety
and depression?
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?
Sport and exercise psychology applies to
a broad population base:
Seniors
Children
Exercisers
Elite athletes
Average
athletes
The physically
and mentally
challenged
Coaches,
teachers, and
fitness leaders
What Sport and Exercise Psychology Specialists Do
Three roles
Research
Advance knowledge and
share it through
professional meetings
and journal articles.
Teaching
Teach university courses
either in psychology
or exercise
and sport science.
Consulting
Work with athletes of all ages
and abilities; work in the
fitness industry and in sports
medicine/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