History of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in Australia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Bond ◽  
Tony Morris
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Sports Programs ◽  
Conference Presentations ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Performance

Australian sport psychology was effectively “launched” in conjunction with the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1981. Prior to this date, sport psychology sat within the realm of a small number of research academics in tertiary institutions and many more unqualified practitioners with backgrounds in sport, hypnotherapy, medicine, and marketing and sales. The commencement of the legitimacy of the profession in the early 1980s correlated with the co-location of the AIS Sport Psychology Department with other sports medicine and sports science disciplines. From this rather humble but significant beginning, Australian sport psychology quickly became integrated into the training and competition plans of the vast majority of Australian Olympic sports and the developing professional football, tennis, golf, and cricket codes. The rapid growth of the AIS and its team of qualified and experienced sport psychology practitioners, combined with international competition exposure, international conference presentations, reciprocal visits to international sports institutes, and Olympic training centers culminated in the inclusion of sport psychology within the auspices of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the accreditation of undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary programs in Australian universities. Applied sport psychology services are now a regular inclusion in most, if not all, Australian sports programs. An increasing emphasis on athlete and coach mental health in conjunction with the performance enhancement capability associated with sport psychology support has firmly entrenched the profession within the Australian sporting milieu.

History of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in Europe

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stiliani "Ani" Chroni ◽  
Frank Abrahamsen
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Exercise Psychology ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Sport And Exercise ◽  
The 1960S

The evolution in sport, exercise, and performance psychology in Europe goes back to the 1800s and spread from the east (Germany and Russia) to the west of the continent (France). Modern European sport psychology theorizing started with Wilhelm Wundt, who studied reaction times and mental processes in 1879, and Philippe Tissié, who wrote about psychological changes during cycling in 1894. However, Pierre de Coubertin was the one to put forward the first definition and promotion of sport psychology as a field of science. From there on, and despite obstacles and delays due to two world wars in Europe, sport psychology accelerated and caught up with North America. Looking back to the history of our disciplines, while sport, exercise, and performance psychology evolved and developed as distinct disciplines in Europe, sport and exercise psychology research appear to be stronger than performance psychology. The research advancements in sport and exercise psychology led to the establishment of the European sport psychology organization (FEPSAC) in the 1960s, as researchers needed an umbrella establishment that would accept the cultural and linguistic borders within the continent. From there on, education programs developed throughout Europe, and a cross-continent program of study with the collaboration of 12 academic institutions and the support of the European Commission was launched in the late 1990s. Applied sport psychology was practiced in the Soviet Union aiming to enhance the performance of their teams in the 1952 Olympics. Unfortunately, in many countries across Europe, research and practice are not comprehensively integrated to enhance sports and sportspersons, and while applied practice has room to grow, it also has challenges to tackle.

scholarly journals Portuguese Football Federation consensus statement 2020: nutrition and performance in football

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e001082
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Abreu ◽  
Pedro Figueiredo ◽  
Paulo Beckert ◽  
José P Marques ◽  
Samuel Amorim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
Physiological Demands ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Nutritional Strategies ◽  
Practical Constraints ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football’s physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.

History of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in Southern Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton Gahwiler ◽  
Lee Hill ◽  
Valérie Grand’Maison
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Private Funding ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Multicultural Environment ◽  
And Performance

Since the 1970s, significant growth globally has occurred in the related fields of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. In Southern Africa, however, this growth has occurred unevenly and, other than isolated pockets of interest, there has been little teaching, research, or practice. South Africa is an exception, however, even during the years of apartheid. A number of international sport psychology pioneers in fact visited South Africa during the 1970s on sponsored trips. Virtually all this activity took place in the economically advantaged sectors of the country, and it is only since the end of apartheid in 1994 that applied services have been extended to the economically disadvantaged areas through both government and private funding. The 2010s have also seen a growing awareness in other Southern African countries, which have begun sporadically using (mainly foreign-based) sport psychology consultants. Among these countries, Botswana is currently leading the way in developing locally based expertise. Throughout the Southern African region, sport, exercise, and performance psychology remain organizationally underdeveloped and unregulated. Local researchers and practitioners in the field face unique challenges, including a multicultural environment and a lack of resources. In working to overcome these challenges, however, they have the potential to significantly add value to the global knowledge base of sport, exercise, and performance psychology.

Cognitive–Behavioral Theory in Sport and Performance Psychology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye F. Didymus
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Irrational Beliefs ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Model

The cognitive–behavioral model of psychotherapy holds cognition at the core of psychological problems and disorders. The theoretical foundations of this model imply that dysfunctional thinking is common to all psychiatric disorders, psychological problems, and medical problems with a psychological component, and that changing an individual’s cognition results in causal changes in emotions and behaviors. In addition, when working with the cognitive–behavioral model, practitioners acknowledge that ongoing cognitive formulation is the basis of effective practice; that working with an individual’s beliefs about themselves, the world, and others results in sustained change; and that neurobiological changes occur following cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT). The cognitive–behavioral model has been successfully applied in many domains (e.g., clinical, occupational, and sport psychology) where interventions are framed around the beliefs that characterize a presenting issue. Cognitive restructuring is one technique for implementing CBT that has been applied in sport and performance psychology. This technique is particularly relevant to performance domains because of the focus on cognitive formulation; the underpinning associations between cognition, emotion, and behavior; and the links between positively valenced emotions and superlative performance. Findings of sport psychology research extend the application of CBT beyond clinical populations and highlight the usefulness of cognitive–behavioral approaches for optimizing experiences of and performance in sport. Some would argue that the first scientifically testable paradigm that was built on the cognitive–behavioral model of psychotherapy, and came chronologically slightly before CBT, is rational emotive behavior theory (REBT). Because both CBT and REBT share cognitive–behavioral roots, they have many similarities in their underpinning assumptions and in the ways that they are applied. REBT, however, focuses on rational and irrational beliefs and the links between an individual’s beliefs and his or her emotions and performance. REBT has a more philosophical focus with motivational theoretical roots when compared to other CBT approaches. Distinguishing features of REBT also lie in the techniques used and, hence, the way in which the underlying principles of the cognitive–behavioral model are applied. Disputing is the applied foundation of REBT and is a method of questioning an individual’s beliefs that generate emotional responses. This technique aims to help an individual recognize and adjust flaws in his or her thinking to work toward a more functional philosophy. Research that has used REBT in sport and performance contexts is sparse but that which does exist highlights the approach as a promising one for optimizing athletes’ beliefs and their emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses.

Ethical Considerations in Sport and Performance Psychology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward F. Etzel ◽  
Leigh A. Skvarla
Keyword(s):  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Ethical Climate ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Mainstream Psychology

The field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology (SEPP) has evolved over the past 100 plus years. SEPP includes professional consultants, teachers, researchers, and students from diverse educational and training backgrounds. Persons primarily from the merging of sport science, kinesiology, and professional psychology have shaped SEPP into what it is today. Client populations typically served include athletes, coaches, and exercisers, and more recently, performing artists (musicians, singers, dancers), businesspersons, sports medicine professionals, and military personnel. These people and phenomena have fashioned an ethical climate that is generally similar to—but in various ways different from—mainstream psychology. While the ethical values and codes of organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) are generally comparable, the perceptions and application of these values and codes in SEPP realms may not match; this is due to the different histories of its membership, as well as the sometimes unusual work demands and atypical settings and circumstances in which SEPP persons function. For both mainstream psychology and SEPP professionals, developments in technology and social media communications have presented ethical dilemmas for many who seek to maintain regular contact with their clientele. These issues, such as the use of technology in consulting, emphasize the importance of core ethical tenets such as privacy, confidentiality, and competence, among others, in the growing area of telehealth. In view of the rather unique ethical climate within SEPP, teaching applied ethics via classroom discussion, continued education, and sourcebooks is essential. To date, there appears to be a lack of continuity in the training and supervision of SEPP students and young professionals with respect to ethical decision making. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity to the current and next generation of scholars, researchers, and practitioners.

scholarly journals Acceptance and commitment therapy as a clinical anxiety treatment and performance enhancement program for musicians

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 205920431774880 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Juncos ◽  
Elvire de Paiva e Pona
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Music Performance ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Music Performance Anxiety ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Anxiety Treatment ◽  
And Performance

In this article we discuss the various options available to musicians wanting to treat their music performance anxiety (MPA), and we recommend that musicians work with a performance psychologist over the other available options. We also discuss the potential for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to serve as both a clinical anxiety treatment and performance enhancement program for musicians, while addressing the state of the research for both applications, as well as the research for a similar, mindfulness and acceptance-based performance enhancement program for athletes, i.e., the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment (MAC) approach. In order for the field of performance psychology to develop into a more credible discipline, we believe practitioners working with musicians should follow an evidence-based practice model of care, in which empirically supported treatments for MPA and performance enhancement are promoted, and information about such treatments is disseminated among practitioners, musicians, and music teachers. Such a practice must become the norm in this field, because it will ultimately result in greater protections for those musicians seeking help for performance-related challenges by ensuring a higher level of professional accountability among practitioners. Lastly, we discuss some issues that may arise when applying ACT or the MAC approach to musicians.

Performance Enhancement for Ballroom Dancers: Psychological Perspectives

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patsy Tremayne ◽  
Debra A. Ballinger
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Psychological Skills ◽  
Mental Preparation ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Ballroom Dance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Insight Into

Ballroom dance has resurfaced worldwide as a highly popular competitive sport and might be added to Olympic medal competition for the 2012 London Games. This resurgence presents opportunities for sport psychologists to provide psychological-skills and performance-enhancement training for ballroom dancers at all competitive levels. Few sport psychologists have the personal experience, expertise, or an adequate knowledge base about the competitive-ballroom-dance environment to provide meaningful intervention strategies for participants. This article was developed to provide initial guidance for sport psychology professionals interested in working in this environment. An overview of the competitive-dance and ballroom-dance environment, strategies used by dance couples for enhanced mental preparation before and during dance competitions, and excerpts from an interview with an Australian championship-level couple provide readers insight into performance-enhancement strategies for DanceSport.

Spirituality & Sport: Consulting the Christian Athlete

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Mosley ◽  
Desiree’ J. Frierson ◽  
Yihan Cheng ◽  
Mark W. Aoyagi
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Christian Worldview ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level ◽  
Practical Implications

The real world practice of sport and performance psychology will inevitably present the practitioner with performers for whom spirituality is the supreme motivator (Balague, 1999). Spirituality and sport, despite its practical relevance, is an underdeveloped and sometimes misunderstood combination (Nesti, 2007). The aim of this study was to reveal the individual experiences of athletes as they integrate spirituality and their sport participation. Five high level athletes (1 female, 4 male), each holding a Christian worldview were interviewed. A strategically designed interview guide illuminated several key themes, which Watson and Nesti (2005) suggested, would contribute much to the existing literature. Out of these themes, practical implications have been considered for the delivery of sport and performance psychology services to Christian athletes. Evidenced by this study, is the reality that some Christian athletes present a unique perspective through which appropriately tailored sport psychology services can readily precipitate personal excellence in sport and life.

Sport Psychology Considerations in Intercollegiate Athletics in the United States

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Bader ◽  
Scott B. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Intercollegiate Athletics ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Athletic Department ◽  
Intercollegiate Athletic ◽  
And Performance

As a field of study, sport psychology is relatively young, gaining its formalized start in the United States in the 1920s. Then and now, the practice of sport psychology is concerned with the recognition of psychological factors that influence performance and ensuring that individuals and teams can perform at an optimal level. In the past 30 years, sport psychologists have made their way into intercollegiate athletics departments providing mental health and performance enhancement services to intercollegiate student-athletes. The differentiation between mental health practice and performance enhancement practice is still a source of some confusion for individuals tasked with hiring sport psychology professionals. Additionally, many traditionally trained practitioners (in both mental health and performance enhancement) are unaware of the dynamics of an intercollegiate athletic department. The interplay of the practitioner and those departmental dynamics can greatly influence the efficacy of the practitioner.

History of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in North America

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Granito
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Scholarly Journals ◽  
Performance Psychology ◽  
Chicago Cubs ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Set Up

The history of sport, exercise, and performance psychology in North America dates back to the late 1800s. However, these professionals typically conducted research in the area of motor learning and development, with little connection to other efforts and researchers. They struggled to forge an identity with the parent disciplines of psychology and physical education. By the 1930s, sport psychology was beginning to take shape in the form of topics that would become the foundation of the field. Professionals were also starting to provide services to athletes, such as Coleman Griffith with the Chicago Cubs in 1938. The field came into its own during the 1950s and 1960s as established research labs and educational opportunities became available to students who would go on to develop further opportunities during the 1970s and 1980s. The scholarly journals were launched, professional organizations were set up, and graduate programs were created. Exercise psychology became a subdivision of the field during the 1970s fitness craze, and performance psychology developed into a specialty in the 1980s. This rich history provides a framework for the current makeup of the field and direction for the future.

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