CHAPTER 8 SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

CHAPTER 8SPORT AND EXERCISEPSYCHOLOGYRobin S. Vealey

Chapter Objectives Discuss what scholars and professionals do in sport andexercise psychology. Describe how sport and exercise psychology evolvedwithin kinesiology. See how professionals in sport and exercise psychologyengage in research and practice.(continued)

Chapter Objectives (continued) Provide an overview of what research tells us aboutpersonality, motivation, arousal and anxiety, and groupprocesses in sport and exercise settings. Explain imagery, attentional focus, and mindfulness asexamples of how mental skills training is used in sport andexercise.

Goals of Sport and Exercise Psychology To understand the social–psychological factors thatinfluence people’s behavior and performance in physicalactivity To understand the psychological effects derived fromparticipation in physical activity To enhance sport and exercise experiences for those whoparticipate in physical activity

Why Use Sport and Exercise Psychology? Sport and exercise psychology involves the study ofhuman thought, emotion, and behavior in physical activity. The ABCs of physical activity Affect: emotions Behavior: actions Cognitions: thoughts

Distinction Between Exerciseand Sport Psychology Exercise psychology focuses on the psychological aspectsof fitness, exercise, health, and wellness. Sport psychology focuses on the psychological aspects ofcompetitive sport participation.

What Do Sport and ExercisePsychology Professionals Do? University professors Teach Research Service Sport psychology service providers working in athleticprograms (work with athletes and coaches) University Olympics Professional Exercise psychology service providers working in worksitehealth promotion or fitness businesses

Physical Activity Specialist VersusClinical or Counseling Psychologist Physical activity specialist Kinesiology-trained practitioners of sport and exercisepsychology focus on education or the teaching of skills toenhance the performance or personal fulfillment of individualsinvolved in sport or exercise. Clinical or counseling psychologist Licensed practitioners who provide psychotherapy andconsultation for individuals (including athletes and exercisers)with clinical conditions such as depression, phobias, or anorexianervosa.

History of Sport and Exercise Psychology Late 1800s: Norman Triplett studied the effect of thepresence of others on bicycling performance. 1920s-1930s: Coleman Griffith era. 1960s: Trait personality studies were conducted related tosport participation and social facilitation or audienceeffects on motor performance; national and internationalorganizations were formed. 1970s: Sport psychology became subdiscipline; graduateprograms originated; Rainer Martens pioneered thesystematic study of competitive anxiety in sport.(continued)

History of Sport and Exercise Psychology (continued) 1980s: Emergence of exercise psychology, growth of fieldresearch, explosion of applied mental training. 1990s: Professional training standards implemented,consulting guidelines and ethical standards for exerciseapproved, USOC registry of certified professionals created. 2000s: Knowledge base grew rapidly through publishedresearch; provided sound foundation for sport psychologypractice; tremendous increase in qualitative research,which typically involves interview data; expansion ofconsulting services and applied multimedia materials.

Research Methodsfor Sport and Exercise Psychology Questionnaires: psychological inventories Interviews: in-depth, more complex responses Observations: behavior checklist or coding Physiological measures: heart rate or brain waves Biochemical measures: analyze blood or urine Content analysis: analyze written work such as activityjournals

Overview of Knowledgein Sport and Exercise PsychologySix main areas:1. Personality2. Motivation3. Arousal versus anxiety4. Interpersonal and group processes5. Developmental concerns6. Intervention techniques for physical activityenhancement

Effects of Personality on Sport and Exercise Personality types in sport No set of traits exists for an athletic personality, but successfulathletes possess more positive self-perceptions and use moreproductive cognitive coping strategies than less successfulathletes do. Personality types in exercise No set of traits exists for an exercise personality, but persistentand consistent exercisers are more self-motivated and confidentin their physical abilities than sedentary people.

Effects of Sport and Exercise on Personality Effects of sport on personality Sport in itself does not build character; moral development andprosocial behaviors must be modeled and created in the structureof the program. Effects of exercise on personality Exercise has been shown to produce several benefits includingenhanced self-concept and psychological well-being anddecreased anxiety and depression.

Motivation Motivation: a complex set of internal and external forcesthat directs and energizes our behavior (choice, effort, andpersistence) in sport and exercise All humans, regardless of their individual goals, motivatedto feel competent and self-determining Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation Developing intrinsic motivation (flow, competence,autonomy, relatedness) Using extrinsic rewards to enhance motivation

Figure 8.1

Arousal and Anxiety Arousal: a state of physical and psychological activation orreadiness Anxiety: a negative response to a stressful situationcharacterized by apprehension and feelings of threat Stress: a process in which individuals perceive animbalance between their response capabilities and thedemands of the situation Inverted-U Model of Arousal (see figure 8.2)

Figure 8.2

Interpersonal and Group Processesin Sport and Exercise Presence of others Group membership The good and the bad Cohesion and social loafing

Mental Skills Training in Physical Activity Goal setting Self-talk Attentional control and focusing Imagery Physical relaxation techniques Research documenting the importance of mental skills

Choking Increase in arousal brought on by stress and pressuremakes an individual more self-focused. None of us are immune to this phenomenon; we all faceachievement situations in which we desperately want toperform well, only to have our need to do so derail us. The pressure leads to two problems with self-focus: Focus on perceived inadequacies creates inward focus. Attempt to consciously control performance (common). See sidebar titled “Choking: What Can We Do About It?”Which techniques do you like?

Mindfulness Mindfulness is increasingly used by people in sport andexercise to enhance their performance and mental health. Maintain a focus on the present moment in an open,nonjudgmental way. The intent of mindfulness is to engagefully in a present activity without being caught up inworries about the future or regrets about the past. Often taught through the practice of meditation. Other mental skills important for success in physicalactivity pursuits include confidence, energy management,self-awareness, and productive thinking.

Burnout Stages Feelings of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion Negative moods and feelings (depression, despair) and a negativechange in response to other people Lack of accomplishment Disillusioned with involvement; occurs when personalitycharacteristics interact with life stressors Adaptation and staleness Entrapment: lack of enjoyment Burnout prevention: seek out challenges and a variety ofactivity

Wrap-Up As a young science, the field of sport and exercisepsychology has only begun to scratch the surface ofunderstanding the thoughts, feelings, and behaviorsrelated to participation in physical activity. However, the knowledge base that has been developedover the last four decades is impressive and researcherscontinue to study personality, motivation, arousal andstress, group processes, and mental skills training inphysical activity.

History of Sport and Exercise Psychology Late 1800s: Norman Triplett studied the effect of the presence of others on bicycling performance. 1920s-1930s: Coleman Griffith era. 1960s: Trait personality studieswere conducted related to sport