Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 27160 Sport and Exercise Psychology
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject examines the field of applied sport psychology. It focuses primarily on performance enhancement through the understanding and implementation of psychological principles in sport situations.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Apply psychological skills to a performance.
2. Critically examine and analyse the theoretical relationships and processes presented in this subject.
3. Identify factors and interventions associated with sport psychology practice.

Contribution to graduate profile

This elective subject in the BA Human Movement Studies and the BA Sport and Exercise Management programs extends conceptual knowledge and skills regarding the psychological and behavioural aspects of sport performance. It will enable students to develop fundamental skills in applying psychological principles and strategies to performance and competition related environments. It also extends an understanding of related issues pertaining to sports participation, such as coping with injuries, retirement, overtraining and burnout.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, workshop tutorials, and student presentations. Content for this subject will be supported by UTS Online.

Content

• Psychology of peak performance
• Psychological skills assessment
• Cognitive-behavioural strategies - goal setting, self-regulation, relaxation and activation, cognitive modification, mental imagery, focussing attention and refocussing, mental preparation, performance protocols, distraction control
• Program implementation and evaluation
• Related issues in applied sport psychology - injury prevention and rehabilitation, overtraining, burnout, eating disorders, retirement, youth sport, coach/team issues, chronobiology.

Assessment

Mid-semester Exam (Individual)	35%
This addresses objectives 1-3.
Presentation (Individual)	25%
This addresses objectives 2 and 3.
End of Semester Project (Individual)	40%
This addresses objective 1.

This assessment element will be secure through a combination of continual updating of assessment across semesters, multiple topic choice within semesters and/or plagiarism detection software. Examinations will be conducted under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address concerns regarding secure assessment. Security of assessment is further ensured with presentation and project topics being updated each year and choice in essay topics encouraging motivation in independent work. Further, a statement of independent work is included on every assignment cover sheet.

Recommended text(s)

Williams, J. (2001). Applied Sport Psychology, 4th edition. Mountain View, CA.: Mayfield Publishing.

Indicative references

Lavalle, D., Williams, M., Morgan, A.P. and Kremer, J. (2004). Sport Psychology: Contemporary Themes. Palgrave Macmillan.

Lavalle, D. and Wylleman, P. (2000). Career Transitions in Sport: International Perspectives. Morgantown, WV: F.I.T.

Orlick, T. (1986). Psyching for Sport. Kingswood, SA.: Human Kinetics.

Andersen, M. (2000). Doing Sport Psychology. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.