The scientific study and application of psychological principles to sports and exercise. The scientific study and application of psychological principles to sports and exercise.

Roles Consulting Consulting Teaching Teaching Research Research

3 Utilizing techniques supported by psychology research 3 Examples:  U.S. Olympic Training Centers  Professional sports team  Professional athlete (e.g., golfer, tennis pro))  College athletic department  High School athletics  Other (e.g., competitive or recreational athletes)  Fitness and health clubs 3 Utilizing techniques supported by psychology research 3 Examples:  U.S. Olympic Training Centers  Professional sports team  Professional athlete (e.g., golfer, tennis pro))  College athletic department  High School athletics  Other (e.g., competitive or recreational athletes)  Fitness and health clubs Consulting

3 Two primary routes: 3 Psychological training (with specialty training in sports science) 3 Sports science / Physical education training (with special focus on psychology) 3 Two primary routes: 3 Psychological training (with specialty training in sports science) 3 Sports science / Physical education training (with special focus on psychology) Becoming a sport psychologist

3 Scientist-Practitioner model 3 Methodology -- h 3 Methodology -- how to ask and answer your question using an empirical approach 3 Examples: (“JASP recent contents”) 3 Scientist-Practitioner model 3 Methodology -- h 3 Methodology -- how to ask and answer your question using an empirical approach 3 Examples: (“JASP recent contents”) Research in Sport Psychology

Is participation in organized youth sports beneficial to children ages 4-8? Research Question Example

Need to define the variables –Participation? –Benefit? l moral development l self-esteem l prosocial behavior l improved grades Need to define the variables –Participation? –Benefit? l moral development l self-esteem l prosocial behavior l improved grades Defining Variables

How would you study if participation is beneficial? –Observation – Case Study – Survey – Experiment (random assignment?) How would you study if participation is beneficial? –Observation – Case Study – Survey – Experiment (random assignment?) Research strategies

Small group exercise – how do you best answer your research question? (Use the question that you brought in and share in your group) Research strategies