Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Sport Psychology
Course Code
VPUPK_404
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Beate Evelīna Dišlere
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
LSPA, Brīvības gatve 333, Riga, LV-1006
About Study Course
Objective
To develop a general picture of sports psychology science, professional activity and sports psychology directions. To develop an understanding of the importance of physical activity on a person’s mental health. To deepen knowledge of identifying athletes’ emotions, regulating their functions and emotions, as well as to deepen knowledge of athletes’ psychological fitness in training and competition. Develop skills to apply different relaxation techniques to work with athletes. To develop an in-depth understanding of the importance of the athlete-coach relationship in sport.
Preliminary Knowledge
Prerequisites in general and developmental psychology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students define sports psychology as science and list key tasks and key themes in it.
2.Recognizes and lists key factors affecting an athlete’s performance.
3.Identify factors and circumstances that may affect an athlete’s mental health.
4.Lists successful communication and relationship-building skills with those involved in sport.
Skills
1.Both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills on key themes of sports psychology are used to address various psychological difficulties in the context of sport.
2.Discusses the importance of psychology in the context of sport and in the work of a coach, as well as in human development, functioning and wellbeing.
3.Interprets the relationship between different psychological factors and an athlete’s athletic performance and psychological well-being.
4.Demonstrate a scientific approach to problem solving.
Competences
1.Students draw on the acquired knowledge of sports psychology, offering different solutions to key problems.
2.Students are able to use a variety of self-regulation skills useful as needed.
3.Knows how to channel different relaxation techniques to athletes.
4.Able to independently acquire, select and analyse information for parpsychological topics in the work of a coach.
5.Independently able to assess the impact of professional activity on the development of an athlete, is competent to apply different psychological skills to work with other people.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Researches and analyses scientific literature on sports psychology topics. |
-
|
-
|
|
2.
Self-reflection on your professional activities. |
-
|
-
|
|
3.
Provides feedback on the study course. |
-
|
-
|
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Analysis of scientific research on the effects of physical activity on mental health |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Students perform group work by selecting and analysing information available in scientific literature on the effects of physical activity on mental health. The results are presented at the workshop. |
||
|
2.
Demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques |
20.00% from total grade
|
Test
|
|
Participation in seminar group work demonstrating practical knowledge of self-regulation and relaxation techniques. |
||
|
3.
Self-assessment test on learned topics |
-
|
-
|
|
4.
Case analysis |
60.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introductory lecture, study course plan and requirements.
Introduction to sports psychology, brief insight into history, legal framework of professional activities of a sports psychologist, modern sports psychology current topics.
Description
The introductory lecture discusses the course course course, the format of lectures and classes, the course requirements and the final examination. Key terms and definitions of sports psychology are covered. A history of sports psychology. Laws relating to psychologists involved in work in a sporting environment. Highlights of sports psychology. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Effects of physical activity on mental health, wellbeing, quality of life, personality and cognitive function. Positive development of young people through sport. Promoting physical activity in society.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Seminar: analysis of the Scientific study on the effects of physical activity on mental Health
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotions in sport. Emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, self-regulation skills, goal setting and motivation to achieve them.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotions in sport. Emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, self-regulation skills, goal setting and motivation to achieve them.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sport performance influencing and improving factors.
Psychological preparation and resilience of athletes, self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques.
Description
Key stressors in the competition environment will be looked at and possible methods to mitigate them discussed. Practical work with various self-regulation skills, such as controlling visualization and using internal speech in training and competitions. Different methods of emotion regulation have been practically tried. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sport performance influencing and improving factors.
Psychological preparation and resilience of athletes, self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques.
Description
Key stressors in the competition environment will be looked at and possible methods to mitigate them discussed. Practical work with various self-regulation skills, such as controlling visualization and using internal speech in training and competitions. Different methods of emotion regulation have been practically tried. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sport performance influencing and improving factors.
Psychological preparation and resilience of athletes, self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques.
Description
Key stressors in the competition environment will be looked at and possible methods to mitigate them discussed. Practical work with various self-regulation skills, such as controlling visualization and using internal speech in training and competitions. Different methods of emotion regulation have been practically tried. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Seminar: demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Overload, athletes burnout and depression.
The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
Description
In theory, factors that can affect athlete overload, burnout and depression will be discussed. The ways in which they are determined/measured are discussed. Product and treatment of athlete burnout and overload. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Overload, athletes burnout and depression.
The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
Description
In theory, factors that can affect athlete overload, burnout and depression will be discussed. The ways in which they are determined/measured are discussed. Product and treatment of athlete burnout and overload. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
The athlete in the team and the relationship with each other. Group dynamics.
Team coordination, social support. Conflict and communication in a coach-athlete relationship.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
The athlete in the team and the relationship with each other. Group dynamics.
Team coordination, social support. Conflict and communication in a coach-athlete relationship.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cooperation between coach and athlete.
Development of sporting talent relating to psychological factors.
Coach decision-making.
Coaching Athletes with a Disability.
High performance coaches.
Description
The theme of the team, its development and creating a positive climate within it will be discussed. An understanding of the communication process, effective forms of communication, conflict resolution strategies, methods of conveying constructive criticism. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cooperation between coach and athlete.
Development of sporting talent relating to psychological factors.
Coach decision-making.
Coaching Athletes with a Disability.
High performance coaches.
Description
The theme of the team, its development and creating a positive climate within it will be discussed. An understanding of the communication process, effective forms of communication, conflict resolution strategies, methods of conveying constructive criticism. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cooperation between coach and athlete.
Development of sporting talent relating to psychological factors.
Coach decision-making.
Coaching Athletes with a Disability.
High performance coaches.
Description
The theme of the team, its development and creating a positive climate within it will be discussed. An understanding of the communication process, effective forms of communication, conflict resolution strategies, methods of conveying constructive criticism. |
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis and self-reflection
Description
Oral examination |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
36 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introductory lecture, study course plan and requirements.
Introduction to sports psychology, brief insight into history, legal framework of professional activities of a sports psychologist, modern sports psychology current topics.
Description
The introductory lecture discusses the course course course, the format of lectures and classes, the course requirements and the final examination. Key terms and definitions of sports psychology are covered. A history of sports psychology. Laws relating to psychologists involved in work in a sporting environment. Highlights of sports psychology. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Effects of physical activity on mental health, wellbeing, quality of life, personality and cognitive function. Positive development of young people through sport. Promoting physical activity in society.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Effects of physical activity on mental health, wellbeing, quality of life, personality and cognitive function. Positive development of young people through sport. Promoting physical activity in society.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Emotions in sport. Emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, self-regulation skills, goal setting and motivation to achieve them.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sport performance influencing and improving factors.
Psychological preparation and resilience of athletes, self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques.
Description
Key stressors in the competition environment will be looked at and possible methods to mitigate them discussed. Practical work with various self-regulation skills, such as controlling visualization and using internal speech in training and competitions. Different methods of emotion regulation have been practically tried. |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Seminar: demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Video
|
2
|
Topics
|
Overload, athletes burnout and depression.
The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
Description
In theory, factors that can affect athlete overload, burnout and depression will be discussed. The ways in which they are determined/measured are discussed. Product and treatment of athlete burnout and overload. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cooperation between coach and athlete.
Development of sporting talent relating to psychological factors.
Coach decision-making.
Coaching Athletes with a Disability.
High performance coaches.
Description
The theme of the team, its development and creating a positive climate within it will be discussed. An understanding of the communication process, effective forms of communication, conflict resolution strategies, methods of conveying constructive criticism. |
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
Online
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case analysis and self-reflection
Description
Oral examination |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
18 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Vazne, Ž., Eikena, D., Simoneņkova, I., Ulme, G. (2022). Metodiskie ieteikumi sporta psihologa darbam. Latvijas Sporta psiholoģijas asociācija. 1., 7.nodaļa
2.
Mangal, S. K., & Mangal, S. (2023). Sports psychology: concepts and applications. Routledge India. 1.-3.,18.,20.nodaļa
3.
Mārtinsone, K., Šmits, D., Mihailovs, I. J., Mārtinsone, A., Ruža, A., Vanadziņš, I., ... & Paičs, I. (2021). Pašpalīdzības un pašvadības iespēju arsenāls krīzes un transformāciju laikā: Metodes ikvienam.
4.
Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. (2023). Foundations of sport and exercise psychology. Human kinetics. 1-2., 9-11.,12.,18.,22.nodaļa
5.
Lochbaum, M., Stoner, E., Hefner, T., Cooper, S., Lane, A. M., & Terry, P. C. (2022). Sport psychology and performance meta-analyses: A systematic review of the literature. PloS one, 17(2), e0263408
6.
Crawford, K., Arnold, R., McKay, C., & McEwan, D. (2024). Coaching teamwork: Team sport athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of how coaches facilitate teamwork. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(5), 697-721.
Additional Reading
1.
Mārtinsone, K., Miltuze, A. (red.). (2015). Psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne, ABC.
2.
Ābele, A. (2009). Sporta psiholoģijas pamati. Rīga: RaKa.
3.
Williams, A., Butt, J., & Kavanagh, E. (2024). An exploration of coaches’ and sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(2), 301-319.
4.
Mossman, L. H., Slemp, G. R., Lewis, K. J., Colla, R. H., & O’Halloran, P. (2024). Autonomy support in sport and exercise settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 540-563.
Other Information Sources
1.
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
2.
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology