Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

The Innovations in Psychological Preparation in Sport

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
DN_216
Branch of Science
Health sciences; Sport Pedagogy
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Health Management; Medicine; Pedagogy; Pharmacy; Psychology; Public Health; Sociology; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Žermēna Vazne
Structure Unit Manager
Dace Bandere
Structural Unit
Department of Doctoral Studies
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dn@rsu.lv, +371 67409120

About Study Course

Objective

To provide students with knowledge and understanding of current issues in contemporary psychological preparation in sports and to develop the ability to choose and justify the usefulness of methods chosen in psychological preparation.

Preliminary Knowledge

General and Developmental Psychology; Social and Communication Psychology; Basics of Sports Psychology (at bachelor's or master's level).

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Demonstrates understanding of the theories and models used in sports science in sports psychology, the methods and techniques used in sports psychology and explains how to transfer the results of research work to a sports environment.

Skills

1.Analyzes and creatively synthesizes scientific achievements to identify research problems in sports psychology. Justifies the importance of knowledge in the psychological preparation of athletes in solving practical problems.

Competences

1.Critically evaluates the relationship of scientific achievements with practice and offers solutions in psychological preparation in sports.

2.Choose independently and reasonably to perform the social obligations of the researcher and to commence educational activities in the public interest.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Results of the latest world psychological scientific research that are useful in sports science
20.00% from total grade
Test

Analytical evaluation of 3 of the latest psychological scientific research results that are useful in sports science

(up to 2 lectures). Title, year of publication (2020-2025), goal, hypothesis, tasks, methods, justification of the basic concepts of the study, analysis and evaluation of the results.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
2.

Results of the latest world scientific research in sports psychology
-
-

Analytical evaluation of the results of 3 latest world scientific studies on the psychological preparation of

athletes (up to 3 lectures). Title, year of publication (2020-2025), goal, hypothesis, tasks, methods, justification

of the basic concepts of the study, analysis and evaluation of the results.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
3.

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' psychological skills and performance indicators (theory and research results)
-
-

Development and approbation of a set of psychological interventions for psychological preparation in sports, project preparation (up to 5 lectures). Intervention characteristics, theoretical justification, practical application.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
4.

Exhibition and approbation of a set of psychological interventions for psychological preparation in sports, project presentation
-
-

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' psychological skills and performance indicators (evaluation of theory and research results) - up to 6 lectures

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
5.

Development of lecture content on aspects of psychological preparation in a group, preparation of a project presentation
-
-

Development of lecture content on aspects of psychological preparation in a group, preparation of a project presentation (up to 8 lectures). Preparation of the theoretical and practical findings on the assigned topic.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Test
70.00% from total grade
10 points

Constructive work in discussing lecture issues and independent work, quality of independent work development 70%.
2.

Final test
30.00% from total grade
10 points

A written test of 30%.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Contemporary personality models and theories in sports psychology. Current issues in psychological preparation in sports.
Description

Students will learn about the most important theories in the development of sports psychology and aspects of psychological preparation of athletes:

  1. Why is psychological preparation of athletes necessary in sports?
  2. How does it differ from other types of athlete preparation?
  3. What types of psychological preparation and what tasks to be solved in them? Can you name and justify it?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of psychological preparation in sports in the context of age groups.
Description

Students will learn about the specifics of psychological preparation at different ages, as well as at different stages of a sports career:

  1. How does psychological preparation in sports affect the level of cognitive, emotional and social maturity of athletes?
  2. What are the most pressing psychological issues that arise at different stages of a sports career?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Hornn, T.S., Smith, A.L. (2019). Advances in Sport and exercise Psychology, 4th Edition. Champaign: Human Kinetics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Personality and sports, motivation in sports.
Description

The athlete's personality traits, values, dominant motives, motivation models and their impact on performance indicators in competitions will be analyzed:

  1. How do the dominant types of motives of an athlete affect the directions of internal and external motivation?
  2. Why does everything go well in training, but there are mistakes in competitions?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Hornn, T.S., Smith, A.L. (2019). Advances in Sport and exercise Psychology, 4th Edition. Champaign: Human Kinetics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Psychological factors in sports performance. Characteristics of psychological preparation interventions.
Description

Students will learn about the psychological aspects of mistakes in competitions:

  1. What personality factors are related to the direction of dominant motivation?
  2. How do you explain one of the most common phenomena in sports - everything is perfect in training, but not in competitions, how?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Sheard, M. (2010). Mental toughness: the mindset behind sporting achievement. London, Routledge
  3. Orlick, T. (1986). Mental Training for Athletes. http://www.zoneofexxxcellence.ca/free.html#fbooks    

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Coach’s psychology.
Description

We will analyze the psychological aspects of the coach's work and personality in individual and team sports. Cooperation with athletes, athletes' parents, judges, and the media:

  1. Please justify what psychological factors and why affect the effectiveness of cooperation between a coach and others involved in sports?
  2. How do these aspects affect the long-term development of an athlete's personality?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Sheard, M. (2010). Mental toughness: the mindset behind sporting achievement. London, Routledge
  3. Orlick, T. (1986). Mental Training for Athletes. http://www.zoneofexxxcellence.ca/free.html#fbooks   

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Improving athletic performance: goal setting.
Description

We will discuss psychological skills and practical interventions in sports: how goal-setting skills can be used to correct motivational direction, as well as in the athlete's physical and technical preparation:

  1. What age is better for psychological work to improve goal setting skills and how to work?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Orlick, T. (1986). Mental Training for Athletes. http://www.zoneofexxxcellence.ca/free.html#fbooks
  3. Orlick,T. (2015). In Pursuit of Excellence. Champaign. HumanKinetics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Improving athletic performance: guided imagination (visualization), mental routines.
Description

We will discuss various types and tasks of guided imagination used in sports. Information will also be provided about various routines and rituals in sports:

  1. How is the skill of guided imagination (visualization) related to performance in competitions? Why?

Literature:

  1. Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKinetics
  2. Orlick, T. (1986). Mental Training for Athletes. http://www.zoneofexxxcellence.ca/free.html#fbooks
  3. Orlick,T. (2015). In Pursuit of Excellence. Champaign. HumanKinetics

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Improving athletic performance: stress regulation, regulation of internal resources.
Description

In the lecture, we will examine questions about stressors, interventions in their regulation, automation of psychological skills and activation and regulation of the body’s internal resources. Let’s justify the role of a coach, a psychological preparation coach, a psychologist in the psychological preparation of athletes:

  1. Please justify the usefulness of the interventions used in psychological preparation.
  2. How does the automation of an athlete's psychological skills manifest itself?
  3. The role of a psychologist or psychological preparation coach in this process.

Literature:

  1. Orlick, T. (1986). Mental Training for Athletes. http://www.zoneofexxxcellence.ca/free.html#fbooks
  2. Orlick,T. (2015). In Pursuit of Excellence. Champaign. HumanKinetics.
  3. Vazne, Z., Eikena, D., Simonenkova, I., Ulme, G. (2022). Metodological recomendations for practicing sport psychologists. Riga: Latvian Sport Psychology Association
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Weinberg, R.S., Gould, D. (2018). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7th Edition. Champaign: HumanKineticsSuitable for English stream

Additional Reading

1.

Hornn, T.S., Smith, A.L. (2019). Advances in Sport and exercise Psychology, 4th Edition. Champaign: Human KineticsSuitable for English stream

2.

Sheard, M. (2010). Mental toughness: the mindset behind sporting achievement. London, RoutledgeSuitable for English stream

3.

Orlick, T. (1986). Psyching for Sport: Mental Training for AthletesSuitable for English stream

4.

Orlick,T. (2015). In Pursuit of Excellence. Champaign. Human Kinetics.Suitable for English stream

5.

Vazne, Z., Eikena, D., Simonenkova, I., Ulme, G. (2022). Methodological recommendations for practicing sport psychologists. Riga: Latvian Sport Psychology Association.Suitable for English stream

Other Information Sources

1.

Darbs zinātniskajās datu bāzēs, balstoties uz individuālajiem darba uzdevumiem / Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis: Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMedSuitable for English stream

2.

Publikācijas žurnālos / Scientific Journals: The Sport Psychologist, Applied Sport Psychology, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Journal of Sport Psychology in action, International Journal of Sport Pschology, Psychology of Sport and Exercise.Suitable for English stream