Sports and Exercise Psychology
What is the aim of Sport Psychology?
The aim of sport psychology is to help you improve your athletic performance by considering the impact of mental factors.
Sport Psychologists work with athletes, coaches and support staff to enhance the performance of an individual or group. There are many transitions within sport, for example, moving from junior to senior team or competition, changing clubs, and retirement. These experiences can be challenging to manage and where appropriate sport psychologists can help athletes to cope with these transitions more effectively.
Enhance Your Confidence, Motivation, Focus and Concentration
Sport Psychologists work to enhance your confidence, motivation, focus and concentration. They help manage pre performance anxiety/nerves.
Teams and Groups
They also work with teams or groups considering group dynamics, communication and culture and create an environment where you can strive for peak performance.
Sports Injury Recovery – Working with injured athletes to help them return to competing with confidence
Sport Psychologists work with athletes, coaches and support staff to enhance the performance of an individual or group. By considering team dynamics, communication and culture they create an environment where individuals can strive for peak performance.
There are many transitions within sport which can challenge athletes, for example, moving from junior to senior team or competition, changing clubs, or retirement.
The psychologist will work towards enhancing an athlete’s confidence, motivation, focus and concentration as well as managing pre-performance anxiety.
Sports Psychologist – Working alongside the team staff
The sport psychologist works best in a multi-disciplinary team alongside the athlete’s physiotherapist, coaches and other staff to help athletes recover more effectively and return to competing with confidence.
Who should work with a Sport Psychologist?
Anyone who is competing in sport! Sport psychology isn’t reserved for elite athletes, it is for anyone who partakes in a sport or physical
activity and sees the mental side of the activity as being important.
Exercise psychology
Exercise psychology focusses on addressing actual and perceived barriers which impact on an individual’s engagement in physical activity. Exercise may also be used as a method for improving individual well being.
How do exercise psychologists work?
Similar to sport psychologists this depends on their approach to practice and role. Some practitioners may work independently with clients whilst others may be part of support teams including other health professionals.
Who should engage with exercise psychology?
Anyone who wants to increase their own levels of physical activity to improve their health and wellbeing.