Exercise and Sport Psychology

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Introduction

This online course consists of the following units and learning objectives:

Unit 1—Understanding the Individual

Learning Objectives

Understand what personality is and how it may be affected by situational variables.

Recognize the implications of self-concept and personal identity for participation and performance in sport and recreational exercise.

Distinguish among concepts of self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-efficacy, and appreciate their relevance to sport and exercise participation.

Unit 2—Motivation in Sport and Exercise

Learning Objectives

Identify common motivations and barriers to exercise participation, and associate patterns of exercise behavior with stages of the Transtheoretical Model.

Understand the special motivational bases and concerns of athletes.

Appreciate the relevance of, and distinctions between, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in sport and exercise behaviors.

Unit 3—Attention, Concentration, and Cognitive Style

Learning Objectives

Appreciate the significance of attention or concentration in sports and exercise, and be able to identify relevant components.

Identify cognitive style differences, especially as found in associative and dissociative strategies.

Understand what psychological skills training (PST) is and how it is applied to issues of attention and concentration in exercise and sports.

Unit 4—Psychosocial Benefits of Sport and Exercise

Learning Objectives

Understand the major psychosocial benefits of sport and exercise participation, including physical, psychological, cognitive, and social benefits, and the levels of participation required to obtain these benefits.

Identify potential negative impacts of sport and exercise participation, including overtraining, burnout, and addiction.

Unit 5—Psychological Interventions

Learning Objectives

Understand strategies for managing arousal and anxiety in athletic performance.

Learn the values and principles of goal setting as applied to physical activity participation and performance.

Appreciate what imagery training is and how it can be applied in sport and exercise settings.

Unit 6—Group Dynamics and Leadership

Learning Objectives

Learn to recognize critical elements of group dynamics in teams, work groups, sports, and exercise settings.

Identify leadership behaviors in relation to coaching, team behaviors, health or fitness center management, and group fitness classes.