Chapter 18Chapter 18

Sport and

Exercise Psychology

Sport and

Exercise Psychology

Definition of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Definition of Sport and Exercise Psychology

• Psychology: study of human behavior

• Sport Psychology: application of psychology to issues and problems in the world of sport

• Exercise Psychology: application of psychology to issues and problems in the fields of fitness, exercise, and physical activity

• Psychology: study of human behavior

• Sport Psychology: application of psychology to issues and problems in the world of sport

• Exercise Psychology: application of psychology to issues and problems in the fields of fitness, exercise, and physical activity

Development of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Development of Sport and Exercise Psychology

• Two major approaches to the field1. Academic study of sport and exercise

psychology

2. Application to those who are engaged in sport and exercise

• Roles for both fields are unlicensed, unlike clinical psychologists who can later specialize in sports psychology

• Two major approaches to the field1. Academic study of sport and exercise

psychology

2. Application to those who are engaged in sport and exercise

• Roles for both fields are unlicensed, unlike clinical psychologists who can later specialize in sports psychology

Development ofSport PsychologyDevelopment of

Sport Psychology

• Coleman Griffith, a psychologist (1928) is considered to be the grandfather of sport psychology in America

• Until the 1960’s, the field was not actively pursued

• Formation of the International Congress of Sport Psychology in 1965 in Rome, Italy

• North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) was formed in 1968

• In the 1970’s, graduate students were allowed to prepare for specialized studies

• Coleman Griffith, a psychologist (1928) is considered to be the grandfather of sport psychology in America

• Until the 1960’s, the field was not actively pursued

• Formation of the International Congress of Sport Psychology in 1965 in Rome, Italy

• North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) was formed in 1968

• In the 1970’s, graduate students were allowed to prepare for specialized studies

Development ofSport Psychology, cont’d

Development ofSport Psychology, cont’d

• In 1985, the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) was formed

• The APA (1987) developed Division 47, devoted towards Sport Psychology

• During the 1980’s, the term “exercise psychology” was formed as a companion field to sport psychology

• In 1985, the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) was formed

• The APA (1987) developed Division 47, devoted towards Sport Psychology

• During the 1980’s, the term “exercise psychology” was formed as a companion field to sport psychology

Current Status of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Current Status of Sport and Exercise Psychology

• Clinical and research practice seem very promising

• The field still has a division between those who “study” and those who “work” with athletes

• Dishman and Buckworth (2001) state that 4 areas should be involved:1. Exercise and mental health2. Anxiety and depression3. Sleep4. Self esteem

• Clinical and research practice seem very promising

• The field still has a division between those who “study” and those who “work” with athletes

• Dishman and Buckworth (2001) state that 4 areas should be involved:1. Exercise and mental health2. Anxiety and depression3. Sleep4. Self esteem

What Do Sport andExercise Psychologists Do?

What Do Sport andExercise Psychologists Do?

• Employed by universities and colleges

• Teach graduate courses, perform research, and advise grad students

• Work with sport teams or individual athletes in two ways:1. Performance enhancement role

2. Counseling role

• Employed by universities and colleges

• Teach graduate courses, perform research, and advise grad students

• Work with sport teams or individual athletes in two ways:1. Performance enhancement role

2. Counseling role

Psychological Interventions Used With Athletes

Psychological Interventions Used With Athletes

• Relaxation training

• Cue-controlled relaxation

• Desensitization

• Mental imaging

• Coping strategies

• Cover modeling

• Relaxation training

• Cue-controlled relaxation

• Desensitization

• Mental imaging

• Coping strategies

• Cover modeling

How to Prepare to Become a Sports Psychologist?

How to Prepare to Become a Sports Psychologist?

• 3 primary paths1. Graduate training in sport psychology

2. Graduate training in clinical psychology

3. Training in counseling psychology

• No special license or certification is needed to practice sport psychology

• Minimal educational experiences is needed, i.e., doctoral degree

• 3 primary paths1. Graduate training in sport psychology

2. Graduate training in clinical psychology

3. Training in counseling psychology

• No special license or certification is needed to practice sport psychology

• Minimal educational experiences is needed, i.e., doctoral degree

Current Issues and Problems in Sport Psychology

Current Issues and Problems in Sport Psychology

• Two main issues– Differences between academic and

consulting sport psychologists– Issues of licensing

• Other issues involve the degree which evidence supports claims that sport and exercise psychology interventions are actually responsible for performance gains and other important outcomes

• Two main issues– Differences between academic and

consulting sport psychologists– Issues of licensing

• Other issues involve the degree which evidence supports claims that sport and exercise psychology interventions are actually responsible for performance gains and other important outcomes

Chapter 18Chapter 18

Sport and Exercise PsychologySport and Exercise Psychology