黑料不打烊

Content and aims

Module overview

Why do athletes sometimes struggle under pressure? How can motivation be sustained across the lifespan? What role does psychology play in enhancing both performance and wellbeing?

Sport and exercise psychology explores the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that shape experiences in sport and physical activity settings. This module introduces you to the foundations of the discipline, providing a clear understanding of both sport psychology (focused on performance in competitive environments) and exercise psychology (focused on physical activity participation and health).

You will examine the key theoretical perspectives that underpin performance and exercise behaviour, explore contemporary issues shaping the field, and consider how psychological principles are applied in real-world settings.

The module is structured around three broad themes:

• The development and scope of sport and exercise psychology as a discipline.
• Core theories and topic areas underpinning performance, participation, and wellbeing (e.g., motivation, confidence, group dynamics, performance under pressure).
• The role of sport and exercise psychologists, including professional standards, ethical responsibilities, and competency boundaries.

You will also begin to evaluate psychological approaches used to enhance performance and wellbeing, developing an informed awareness of how theory translates into effective applied practice.

Completion of this module provides the essential platform for advanced study in sport and exercise psychology in the third and fourth years.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, you'll be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the role of sport and exercise psychologists in the sports sector;
• understand the difference between sport psychology and exercise psychology;
• describe and explain the key theories and contemporary topic areas underpinning sport and exercise psychology;
• evaluate approaches used in sport and exercise psychology to enhance performance and wellbeing.