Introduction to Sport Psychology Concepts

Sport Psychology

The field within exercise science that examines how psychological factors influence athletic performance.

Managing anxiety

Using psychological principles to help optimize performance.

Dealing with stress

Using psychological principles to help optimize performance.

Improving focus

Using psychological principles to help optimize performance.

Improving performance during competition

Using psychological principles to help optimize performance.

Personality

Composite of characteristic individual differences that make us unique.

Trait Framework

Everything we do is a result of stable & enduring traits that predict how we act in a given situation.

Example of Trait Framework

If shy, will be timid when joining a new team.

Traits measurement

Traits can be objectively measured via inventories.

Interaction Framework

Personality traits and situational factors interact to determine how we act.

Example of Interaction Framework

A shy person joining a new team would react differently if team members were welcoming/inclusive vs suspicious/exclusive.

States

How a person feels at a particular point in time.

Influence of states

States can influence behavior but not determine it directly.

Personality Research

Identify personality characteristics of athletes vs non-athletes.

Athlete characteristics

Found athletes less anxious, more extroverted, more independent than non-athletes.

Issues in Personality Research

Inventory scales were created for clinical populations and may not be reliable or valid.

Definition of an athlete

How do you define an athlete? Non-athlete?

Motivation

Driving force for completing a task.

Components of Motivation

Consists of three parts: direction, intensity, and duration.

Direction of motivation

Where people invest their energy.

Intensity of motivation

How much energy is invested.

Duration of motivation

How long energy is invested at a given intensity.

Long term component of motivation

Success often drives motivation.

Definition of success

Depends on individual interpretation.

Achievement Goal Orientation

Self-referenced definition of success focusing on improvement and gaining new skills.

Ego Orientation

Success is defined by being better than others, focusing on winning.

Impact of orientations

Both orientations impact motivation.

Self-Determination Theory

You have a need for autonomy, which is key to intrinsic motivation leading to action.

Three psychological needs

Autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy

Endorse & be the origin of one's own behavior.

Competence

Interact effectively in the environment and need optimally challenging activities.

Relatedness

Feel connected with, cared for, and close to others/community.

Arousal

Traditionally, activation (i.e. increased HR, BP, respiration rate)

Arousal

Can involve activation as well

Arousal in sport psychology

Degree of activation and intensity

Anxiety

Subjective feeling of unease, usually accompanied by high arousal

Anxiety

Excessive response to either a perceived or real threat that includes a variety of physical and emotional symptoms

Anxiety symptoms

Muscle tension, Dizziness, Over active Sympathetic response, Fear

Arousal and anxiety

Can have high arousal without anxiety

Trait Anxiety

When a person develops stress/anxiety

State Anxiety

When a person has a tendency to be stressed/anxious

Cognitive anxiety

Mental facet (worry, self-defeating thoughts)

Somatic anxiety

Physiological anxiety (sweaty palms, butterflies in stomach)

Performance-Arousal Curve

Relationship of arousal (stress) for performance

Performance-Arousal Curve

Individual differences in Curve

Performance-Arousal Curve

Optimal level of arousal (excitation) for performance

Imagery

Creating a mental representation of a situation using all of your senses

Imagery perspective

First person perspective

Imagery usage

Used regularly in competitive sports but can be used in almost any sport

Benefits of Imagery

Allows 'practice' without physical execution

Imagery benefits

Can improve performance

Imagery practice

Athletes can see & feel themselves performing the way they want to

Imagery and skill acquisition

Can facilitate the learning of a new skill

Imagery for control

Can help control anxiety

Imagery effectiveness

The more vivid, the more brain is convinced the image is real

Guided imagery

Need to picture good performance vs all of the mistakes

Overtraining

Period characterized by higher than normal training volume/intensity accompanied by fatigue.

Excessive training

Leading to prolonged fatigue and frequent illness.

Multiple signs and symptoms

Indicators of overtraining.

Overuse Injuries

Injuries resulting from excessive training.

Hormonal changes

Alterations in hormone levels due to overtraining.

Increased Cortisol

Elevated cortisol levels as a result of overtraining.

Heart rate changes

Variations in heart rate associated with overtraining.

Decreased Heart Rate recovery

Slower recovery of heart rate after exercise due to overtraining.

Decreased Heart Rate Variability

Reduced variability in heart rate as a sign of overtraining.

Increased Resting Heart Rate

Higher resting heart rate indicative of overtraining.

Performance decrement

Reduction in performance compared to known benchmarks.

Profile of Mood States Questionnaire

A tool used to assess mood states in athletes.

Flow State

An intrinsically rewarding state where everything seems to click into place, even during extreme challenges.

Almost Autopilot

A feeling of being in complete control without trying, characteristic of flow state.

Unambiguous feedback

Clear and direct feedback that contributes to achieving flow.

Total and complete concentration

Intense focus on the task at hand experienced during flow.

Paradoxical Performance

Occurrence of inferior performance despite striving and incentives for superior performance.

Choking

Deterioration of performance when in high pressure situations.

Focus on the outcome

Concentration on results rather than the process can lead to choking.

High anxiety

Elevated stress levels that can contribute to choking.

Narrowing attention

Focusing too narrowly can lead to performance issues.

Overactive physiological response

Increased physiological reactions that can hinder performance.

Increase in muscle contraction

Heightened muscle tension that slows intended movements.

Acute coping strategies

Immediate techniques to manage performance anxiety.

Mindfulness training

Practice that helps athletes stay present and focused.

The Yips

Impediment affecting the execution of fine motor skills during sporting performance.

Uncontrollability of movements

Loss of control over fine motor skills, worsened by psychological distress.