1. Chapter 09 Sport and Exercise Psychology
Robin S. Vealey
Chapter 09 Sport and Exercise Psychology

2. What Is Sport and Exercise Psychology?
Sport and exercise psychology involves the study of human thought, emotion, and behavior in physical activity.
The ABCs of physical activity
Affect: emotions
Behavior: actions
Cognitions: thoughts
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

3. Goals for Sport and Exercise Psychology
To understand the social-psychological factors that influence people’s behavior and performance in physical activity
To understand the psychological effects derived from participation in physical activity
To enhance the sport and exercise experiences for those who participate in physical activity

4. Distinction Between Exercise and Sport Psychology
Exercise psychology focuses on the psychological aspects of fitness, exercise, health, and wellness.
Sport psychology focuses on the psychological aspects of competitive sport participation.
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

5. What Does a Sport or Exercise Psychologist Do?
University professors
Sport psychology service providers working in athletic programs (work with athletes and coaches)
University
Olympic
Professional
Exercise psychology service providers working in worksite health promotion or fitness businesses
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

6. Physical Activity Specialist vs. Clinical or Counseling Psychologist
Kinesiology-trained practitioners of sport and exercise psychology focus on education or the teaching of skills to enhance the performance or personal fulfillment of individuals involved in sport or exercise.
Clinical or Counseling Psychologists
Licensed practitioners who provide psychotherapy and consultation for individuals with clinical conditions such as depression, phobias, or anorexia nervosa. These may include athletes and exercisers.
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

7. Common Uses of Knowledge of Sport and Exercise Psychology
All professionals in kinesiology use psychological knowledge and experience in their jobs every day.
Physical education teachers use different forms of motivation to “hook” students.
Coaches motivate players and nurture strong team chemistry.
Athletic trainers use psychology to help athletes recover from injuries.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

8. Common Uses of Knowledge of Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued)
Corporate and personal fitness coordinators use psychology to get people to start and continue physical activity programs.
Recreational and elite sport managers use strategies for effective leadership.

9. Figure 9.2
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

10. History of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Late 1800s: Norman Triplett studied the effect of the presence of others on bicycling performance.
1960s: Trait personality studies were conducted related to sport participation; national and international organizations were formed.
1970s: Sport psychology became a legitimate subdiscipline; graduate programs; Rainer Martens pioneered the systematic study of competitive anxiety in sport.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

11. History of Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued)
Modern Sport and Exercise Psychology
1980s: Emergence of exercise psychology, the growth of field research, and an explosion of applied mental training with athletes.
1990s: Growth of sport psychology and exercise psychology subdisciplines continued, professional training standards were implemented, consulting guidelines and ethical standards for exercise were approved, and the U.S. Olympic Committee registry of certified professionals was created.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

12. History of Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued)
Modern Sport and Exercise Psychology
2000s:
The knowledge base of the field grew rapidly with an increase in published research, providing a sound foundation for sport psychology practice.
A tremendous increase in qualitative research, which typically involves interview data.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

13. History of Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued)
Modern Sport and Exercise Psychology
2000s:
Rapid expansion of sport and exercise psychology practice, particularly consulting services and availability of applied materials (books, videos, websites).
Online access to websites including Peak Performance Sports, Virtual Brands sport psychology, and Sport Psychology Today by Mental Edge Athletics fostered the use of sport and exercise psychology.
A new journal dedicated to practitioners (coaches, consultants, athletes) titled the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action was established in 2010.
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

14. Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Questionnaires: psychological inventories
Interviews: in-depth, more complex responses
Observations: behavior checklist or coding
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

15. Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued)
Physiological measures: heart rate or brain waves
Biochemical measures: analyze blood or urine
Content analysis: analyze written work such as activity journals
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

16. Overview of Knowledge in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Six main areas:
Personality
Motivation
Energy management
Interpersonal and group processes
Developmental concerns
Intervention techniques for physical activity enhancement
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

17. Personality Personality types in sport Personality types in exercise
No set of traits exists for an athletic personality, but successful athletes possess more positive self-perceptions and use more productive cognitive coping strategies than less successful athletes do.
Personality types in exercise
No set of traits exists for an exercise personality, but persistent and consistent exercisers are more self-motivated and confident in their physical abilities than sedentary people.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

18. Personality (continued)
Effects of sport on personality
Sport in itself does not build character; moral development and prosocial behaviors must be modeled and created in the structure of the program.
Effects of exercise on personality
Exercise has been shown to produce several benefits including enhanced self-concept and psychological well-being and decreased anxiety and depression.
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

19. Motivation
Motivation is a complex set of internal and external forces that directs and energizes our behavior (choice, effort, and persistence) in sport and exercise.
All humans, regardless of their individual goals, are motivated to feel competent and self-determining.
(continued)

20. Motivation (continued)
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Developing intrinsic motivation
Using extrinsic reinforcers (rewards) to enhance motivation
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

21. Five Issues to facilitate intrinsic motivation:
1: Using VERBAL and NON-VERBAL feedback.
2: Ensuring some SUCCESS.
3: Increasing individual RESPONSIBILITY.
4: Providing a variety of practice EXPERIENCES.
5: Using GOAL-SETTING appropriately.

22. Reward What is motivation? Motivation is Movement Q1 & Q2
In the brain; Survival mechanism
Need or Desire
Drives or Incentives
“Internal comparison of potential outcomes” ...REWARD
Motivation is Movement
Fulfilling
Produce pleasure
Create a sense of loss when missing
Q1 & Q2

23. Assessments Stages of Change (Prochaska, Norcross, DiClemente) Q4
Precontemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance
Termination (Relapse & Recycle)
Motivational Interviewing (Rollnick, Miller, Butler)
Importance Ruler & Confidence Ruler

24. Figure 9.3
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

25. Motivational Processes
Arousal: a state of physical and psychological activation or readiness
Anxiety: a negative response to a stressful situation characterized by apprehension and feelings of threat
Stress: a process in which individuals perceive an imbalance between their response capabilities and the demands of the situation
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

26. Motivational Teaching Protocol (Coyle)
Deep Practice of Motivation
Pick a goal
Reach for it
Evaluate the gap between goal & reach
Return to pick a goal
Motivational Fuel:
energy, passion, commitment
Motivational Language
Speaking to the ground-level effort
Affirming the struggle
Praise effort
We learn in staggering baby steps

27. Four Important Stages for methods using cognitive strategy:
EXPLORATORY Phase: Making the athlete aware of the cognitions (perceptions, assumptions, thoughts) that lead to particular emotional and physical states.
EDUCATIONAL Phase: Athlete discovers the thoughts they evoke are self-defeating and irrational.
TREATMENT Phase: Introduces the athlete to different techniques (relaxation, positive self-talk, imagery) that can be used to help cope or change their cognitions.
STRATEGY Phase: The clinician and the athlete work together to implement the newly developed strategies for dealing with anxiety.

28. Energy Management in Sport and Exercise
Feeling states experienced by athletes and exercisers
Mental
Physical
Pleasant or unpleasant
Stress
Anxiety
Flow
How energy influences performance is unique to the specific experience
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

29. Interpersonal and Group Processes in Sport and Exercise
Presence of others
Group membership
Leadership
Aggression
Gender socialization
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

30. Developmental Concerns in Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Physical activity in children
Physical activity in older adults
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

31. Intervention Techniques for Physical Activity
Intervention techniques in sport and exercise psychology are used to increase exercise adherence, enhance sport performance, develop life skills, aid in injury rehabilitation, and ease career transitions and retirement from sport.
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

32. Intervention Techniques for Physical Activity (continued)
Goal setting
Self-talk
Attentional control and focusing
Imagery
Physical relaxation techniques
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

33. Burnout Stages Feelings of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion
Negative moods and feelings (depression, despair) and a negative change in responses to other people
Lack of accomplishment
Disillusioned with involvement; occurs when personality characteristics interact with life stressors
(continued)
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)

34. Burnout (continued) Adaptation and staleness
Entrapment: lack of enjoyment
Preventing burnout
Challenge
Variety of activity

35. Sport and Exercise Psychology Is…
a young science, developed in the last four decades;
related to sport and exercise performance, excellence, and enhancement; and
related to the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviors for health benefits.
Chapter 9 - Hoffman (2005)