This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of human responses and adaptations to sport and exercise. Using a psychological approach, students acquire knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise performance and exercise adherence to promote health.
Lectures and seminars provide forums for discussion and understanding of cognitions, affect and behaviour and the complex interactions between these.
A key module aim is to provide an understanding of the application of theory to real ‘applied’ situations within sport and exercise settings.
A synopsis of topics included in this module are:
- Introduction to sport and exercise psychology
- The learning and performance process
- Feedback
- Attention and concentration
- Personality and individual differences
- Motivation
- Self-confidence
- Arousal, stress and anxiety
- Social facilitation and audience effects
- Sport and exercise psychology in action
- Introduction to exercise behaviour
- Psychological effects of exercise
- Exercise behaviour and adherence
- Exercise psychology in practice
- Group dynamics
- Leadership
- Communication
- Goal setting
- Role of research in sport and exercise psychology
Lecture 1 hours per week 1 seminar bi weekly
100% coursework will assess this module in the form of an in-class test worth 50% of the module and an essay of up to 2200 words worth 50% of the module.
Gill, D.L., & Williams, L. (2008). Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Schmidt, R.A., & Wrisberg, C.A. (2008). Motor learning and performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Weinberg, R.S., & Gould, D. (2007) Foundations of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
Students who take full advantage of the opportunities made available to them will, on successful completion of the module, be able to:
1. To describe and explain psychological theories relating to sport & exercise
2. To describe cognitive and social psychological factors that influence behaviour in a sport & exercise environment
3. To describe the theoretical principles of sports psychology underpinning applied practice
4. To describe and apply knowledge of psychological concepts to group and individual behaviour in sport & exercise environments
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