Module 3: Sport

Psychology
Sports Performance 10
What is Sport Psychology?

• Sport Psychology: Is the

study of how
psychological factors
affect performance and
how psychological and
physical factors are
affected by participation
in sport and exercise
HOW DOES MENTAL FITNESS IMPACT
PERFORMANCE AND MOTIVATION?
Mental Fitness
Keeping our mind and attitude in a
positive state
Can include mental exercises
Positive thinking and affirmations
Healthy mental fitness improves
confidence, lowers anxiety, and can
overall increase performance (sports
performance, academically, etc.)
IPS-”Ideal Performance State”
All experiences during a sport fit together
like a puzzle
This include the physical, psychological,
technical, and tactical elements of your
performance
Using sports psychology techniques can
increase your chances of achieving IPS
HOW DOES MENTAL FITNESS
IMPACT PERFORMANCE AND
MOTIVATION CONT…
• Ideal Performance State Examples?
• Non-Ideal Performance State
Examples?
• Benefits of Mental Fitness (related to
sport/academic performance)
• Increased focus and concentration
• Increased confidence
• Increased motivation
• Decreased stress and anxiety
• Overall increase in performance
 MOTIVATION

• Principles of Motivation
• Motivation is the key to change
• Motivation is dynamic
(motivation and intensity of
motivation)
• Motivation is influenced by
internal and external factors
• Motivation is influenced by social
interactions
• Motivation can change
TYPES OF
MOTIVATI
ON
 MOTIVATION CONT…

• Enhancing Motivation (Strategies)

• Positivity
• Think about success
• Mental Images
• Support Systems
• Managing Motivational Barriers
• Goal Setting
• Make your goals your priority
• Make time
• Plan ahead
ASSESSING PERSONAL
MENTAL FITNESS

• Brain MAC: Sports

Competition Anxiety Test
• https://www.brianmac.c
o.uk/scat.htm
 ACTIVATION LEVELS &
SPORT PERFORMANCE
• Activation Level
• Psychological and physiological
stimulation (“arousal” or engagement)
• Too much=Poor Performance (anxiety,
stress, etc.)
• Too little=Poor Performance
(withdrawn, not interested, not
focused)
• Sport Readiness
• Motor development and fundamental
movement skills match sport
requirements
• Mental state matches sport
requirements
ACTIVATION LEVELS & SPORT
PERFORMANCE

Anxiety Energy Management

Nervousness in sport due to actual or
perceived pressure to perform
Trait Anxiety: General tendencies towards
anxiousness as a personal trait
State Anxiety: Anxiousness in specific
situations and/or under specific
conditions
Physical response to situation with
exerting energy
• Butterflies, fight or flight responses
• How can we manage these physical
responses when exerting different
amounts of energy?
STRESS RESPONSES
Sleep issues, headaches, disease, skin reactions,
Physiological Responses high blood pressure

Emotional Responses Depression, anxiety, anger

Withdrawal, absences, punctuality,

Behavioural Responses addictive/excessive behaviour

Cognitive Responses Feeling worried, self-consciousness, overthinking

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY TECHNIQUES
Attentional Control Strategies

Self-Talk

Visualization/Imagery

Mediation

Goal Setting

Breathing Exercises

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY TED
TALK

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jILkz
PR-T5E
FINAL ASSIGNMENT-SPORT
PSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR
• You will lead a Sport Psychology “seminar” focusing on one technique that
can help with mental performance in sports/fitness
• You will present this seminar to the class as your audience on the last day of
class
• Your presentation should be interactive, engaging, and include an example
of the technique you are researching (E.g., If you are doing meditation, lead
the class in a short mediation exercise)
• Sample presentation formats: Video (webcast), Prezi, live interview/talk
show, interactive power point
• Don’t just stand in front of the class and read off a sheet of paper
• Your seminar audience know nothing about Sport Psychology
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
• See assignment outline on D2L
• In groups of 3-4 you will be assigned one of the 7 Sport Psychology
techniques at random (there can only be 7 groups total in the class
• GROUPS WILL PRESENT YOUR PROJECT TO THE CLASS (Date)