Chapter 11

Exercise and Sport Psychology

Introduction

This chapter addresses the importance of the psychological aspects of involvement in exercise and sport. The chapter begins with a discussion of the type of questions that exercise and sport psychologists are interested in, and it explains what it is that exercise and sport psychologists do. A history of the field is given along with theoretical orientations and research methodologies used by exercise and sport psychologists. The chapter concludes with information regarding employment opportunities in exercise and sport psychology and a listing of relevant professional associations, certifications, and journals.

Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, students will be able to do the following:

Define and differentiate between exercise and sport psychology.
Be familiar with the history and development of the field of exercise and sport psychology.
Explain what exercise and sport psychologists do.
Discuss the types of questions researchers in exercise and sport psychology try to answer.
Understand the theoretical orientations and research methodologies used by exercise and sport psychologists.
Describe employment opportunities for exercise and sport psychologists.
List important professional associations and journals in the field of exercise and sport psychology.

Study Questions

Define exercise and sport psychology. Differentiate between the two.
List two general objectives addressed by exercise and sport psychologists.
Give three examples of questions that researchers in sport psychology are interested in answering.
Describe the three types of exercise and sport psychologists.
Describe the type of work done by exercise and sport psychologists involved in teaching, research, and consulting work.
List and describe the three academic tracks available to an exercise and sport psychology doctoral student. Include differences in course work or practical experiences among the three areas.
Briefly outline the development of the field of exercise psychology in the last 150 years.
Discuss the career opportunities available to the individual interested in the field of exercise and sport psychology.
Give five possible explanations as to why most people “feel better” when they exercise.
List the factors that may contribute to exercise adherence.
List and describe the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome.
Discuss the five major causes of staleness and burnout, and explain the role of an exercise and sport psychologist in the treatment of these conditions.
Describe the types of tools that researchers use to measure variables in exercise and sport psychology.
Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative research in exercise and sport psychology.
Discuss some areas that researchers in exercise and sport psychology need to study in the future.
List five journals that publish research in the area of exercise and sport psychology.

Student Activities

Before discussing the subject matter in this chapter, have students (as a class or in small groups) list (a) the ways that involvement in exercise or sports can impact an individual’s mental state, or (b) how an individual’s mental state can influence his or her performance.
Have students find two research articles—one should be qualitative and one quantitative in nature—from exercise and sport psychology journals. Students should write an abstract of each article and explain how each may contribute to the field of exercise science.

Lab

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Quizzes

Suggested Readings
American Psychological Association. (1996). Exploring sport and exercise psychology. Washington, DC: Author.
Andersen, M. (2000). Doing sport psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Biddle, S. J. H. (Ed.). (1995). European perspectives on exercise and sport psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Gavin, J., & Gavin, N. (1995). Psychology for health fitness professionals. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Gill, D. (2008). Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Hill, K. (2001). Frameworks for sport psychologists: Enhancing sport performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Lox, C. L., Martin, K. A., & Petruzzello, S. J. (2010). The psychology of exercise: Integrating theory and practice (3rd ed.). Scottsdale, AZ: Holcomb Hathaway.
Roberts, G. (2001). Advances in motivation in sport and exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.