What is Sport Psychology?

Sport Psychology is on one hand the scientific study of mental and interpersonal aspects of sports performance and, on the other, an applied discipline that uses the evidence gained from that study to enhance sports performance.

The breadth of topics covered by sport psychology is vast, but some of the areas of study or focus that are covered by sport psychologists include:

Confidence
Concentration/focus
Motivation
Emotional experience, e.g. anxiety or anger
Thought processes
Mood
Career development
Coach-athlete relationships
Team cohesion

Applied sport psychologists can work in many different ways. Indeed it is fair to say that no two sport psychologists are the same.

Some of the approaches to sport psychology include the humanistic, cognitive and behavioural (even cognitive-behavioural), but there are more – and each of those may be divided further.

However, an imperfect and inexhaustive list of the more common techniques and interventions that are used by sport psychologists include:

Counselling
Goal setting
Self-talk
Imagery/Visusalisation/Mental Rehearsal
Relaxation
Reframing
Planning & preparation
Competition review

If you are looking for a sport psychologist, you should ask whether they are certified (or working towards it). In the UK, generally that means Accreditation with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, or Chartership with with British Psychological Society. There may also be other associated professionals, such as psychotherapists, who will call themselves sport psychologists – but again they should be able to provide details of their professional status.

By working with a certified professional you know that you have someone who has demonstrated a degree of competency and knowledge, has some structured training and, importantly, has signed up to a code of ethics.

However, the quality of relationship that you develop with your sport psychologist will have a large bearing on the success of any intervention. It is worth looking around and talking to a few to get a good ‘feel’ for how they might work with you and whether you are comfortable with them.

Apr 23, 06:02 AM | | | |

I am only currently able to consider new clients in the Leamington Spa/Warwick area. If you are elsewhere and require help, try the sport psychologist finder at iStadia.com. If you require a media comment, you can also post a request to the UK Sport and Exercise Media Exchange on iStadia and it will be sent directly to its members.

Rob Robson, Business and Sport Psychologist

Developing Engagement, Change and Performance

What is Sport Psychology?

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