Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Sport Psychology

Main Study Course Information

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
Structure Unit Manager
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
2.

Demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques

20.00% from total grade
Test
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
  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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Seminar: demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Video
2

Topics

Overload, athletes burnout and depression. The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Video
2

Topics

Overload, athletes burnout and depression. The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Case analysis and self-reflection
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
36 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)
PART-TIME
Part 1
  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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Personality traits, attitudes and behaviours of athletes. Motivation and rivalry.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Seminar: demonstration of self-regulation skills and relaxation techniques
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Video
2

Topics

Overload, athletes burnout and depression. The mental health, wellbeing and burnout of coaches.
  1. 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.
  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Case analysis and self-reflection
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
18 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Oral)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Sport psychology essentials / Dave Collins, Andrew Cruickshank, editors. 1st edition. Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, (2023) vii, 391 lpp.

2.

Tod, D., Hodge, K., & Krane, V. (2023). Routledge handbook of applied sport psychology. Taylor and Francis.

3.

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

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.

5.

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.

Other Information Sources

1.

Journal of Applied Sport Psychology

2.

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology