Sport and Exercise Psychology

On this one-year full-time course, you study 2 modules at a time between September and April (120 credits) and will focus only on the Masters Research Project from April to September (60 credits)

A summary of the modules is provided below.

In Physical Activity and Mental Health (15 credits) the current state of evidence regards the relationship between physical activity and mental health is examined. Physical activity theories and models are critically evaluated using a range of sources of evidence including traditional review, meta-analysis and epidemiological research. A central focus of the module is behaviour change with respect to physical activity. The mental health benefits of activity with respect to selected mental illnesses are also evaluated and practical physical activity interventions examined.

The module Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 credits) develops and enhances research methods, statistical and qualitative analysis skills. Key analytical techniques will be addressed via data sets in sport and exercise psychology.

The module Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits) covers the application of social psychological theory to sport and exercise settings, with a focus on audience effects, groups, and leadership, and on how these processes may impact on the performance of athletes, coaches, trainers and managers. Adopting a social psychology framework the module will examine contemporary approaches related to the impact of audiences, group dynamics and cohesion in the performance domain.

In the first part of The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits) a range of psychological techniques available to practitioners are outlined (e.g., self-talk, imagery). Students will be required to consider what psychological techniques are most appropriate and how they should best be applied to a range of scenarios (e.g., enhancing confidence in a novice exerciser, helping an elite athlete cope with a career ending injury). In the second part of the module the skills required to practice effectively (e.g., counselling skills, communication skills and reflective practice) are considered along with issues surrounding the delivery of psychological interventions to different groups (e.g., disabled athletes) are considered.

The Skilled Performance Under Pressure (30 credits) module uses psychophysiological interpretations of how athletes interact with motivated performance situations to explain skilled performance under pressure. First, the module will explore historical and contemporary approaches to understanding skilled performance. Second, recent approaches to understanding skilled performance under pressure will be explored. Finally, investigation will take place of the psychophysiological markers of the human reaction to stress in the context of their relationships to skilled performance under pressure by examining the use cardiovascular reactivity as an indicator of adaptive and maladaptive responses to stress.

The final module is the Masters Research Project Dissertation (60 credits). This module involves the planning and execution of an empirical research project. Typically, students are encourage to write their thesis in a journal style and where appropriate submit for publication. A formal presentation and oral examination of the research is a key feature of the module.

On this one-year full-time course, you study 2 modules at a time between September and April (120 credits) and will focus only on the Masters Research Project from April to September (60 credits)

A summary of the modules is provided below.

In Physical Activity and Mental Health (15 credits) the current state of evidence regards the relationship between physical activity and mental health is examined. Physical activity theories and models are critically evaluated using a range of sources of evidence including traditional review, meta-analysis and epidemiological research. A central focus of the module is behaviour change with respect to physical activity. The mental health benefits of activity with respect to selected mental illnesses are also evaluated and practical physical activity interventions examined.

The module Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis (30 credits) develops and enhances research methods, statistical and qualitative analysis skills. Key analytical techniques will be addressed via data sets in sport and exercise psychology.

The module Group Dynamics and Leadership in Sport and Exercise (15 credits) covers the application of social psychological theory to sport and exercise settings, with a focus on audience effects, groups, and leadership, and on how these processes may impact on the performance of athletes, coaches, trainers and managers. Adopting a social psychology framework the module will examine contemporary approaches related to the impact of audiences, group dynamics and cohesion in the performance domain.

In the first part of The Practice of Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits) a range of psychological techniques available to practitioners are outlined (e.g., self-talk, imagery). Students will be required to consider what psychological techniques are most appropriate and how they should best be applied to a range of scenarios (e.g., enhancing confidence in a novice exerciser, helping an elite athlete cope with a career ending injury). In the second part of the module the skills required to practice effectively (e.g., counselling skills, communication skills and reflective practice) are considered along with issues surrounding the delivery of psychological interventions to different groups (e.g., disabled athletes) are considered.

The Skilled Performance Under Pressure (30 credits) module uses psychophysiological interpretations of how athletes interact with motivated performance situations to explain skilled performance under pressure. First, the module will explore historical and contemporary approaches to understanding skilled performance. Second, recent approaches to understanding skilled performance under pressure will be explored. Finally, investigation will take place of the psychophysiological markers of the human reaction to stress in the context of their relationships to skilled performance under pressure by examining the use cardiovascular reactivity as an indicator of adaptive and maladaptive responses to stress.

The final module is the Masters Research Project Dissertation (60 credits). This module involves the planning and execution of an empirical research project. Typically, students are encourage to write their thesis in a journal style and where appropriate submit for publication. A formal presentation and oral examination of the research is a key feature of the module.