Sport And Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

http://www.bases.org.uk/
Aims to develop and spread knowledge about the application of science to sport and
exercise
British Psychological Society (Sport and Exercise Psychology Section)
http://www.bps.org.uk/sub-syst/SPEX/about.cfm
Section aims to promote the development of psychology in sport and exercise through
academic study and research
Fédération Européenne de Psychologic des Sports et des Activites Corporefles
(FEPSAC; European Federation of Sport Psychology)
http://www.itp.lu.se/fepsac/
Aims to promote scientific, educational and professional work in sport psychology

International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP)
http://www.phyed.duth.gr/sportpsy/intenational.html
Devoted to promoting research and development in the discipline of sport and exercise
psychology
North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity
(NASPSPA)
http://www.naspspa.org/info/
An interdisciplinary association which aims to develop and advance the scientific
study of human behaviour when individuals are engaged in sport and physical activity

Now that we have explored the scientific foundations and professional applications of
sport and exercise psychology, let us consider its status as a discipline.

Current status of sport and exercise psychology: respect or

scepticism?

At first glance, the field of sport and exercise psychology appears to be an intellectually
challenging, vibrant and highly valued interdisciplinary enterprise. This conclusion is
based on four strands of evidence.
First, since the 1970s, sport and exercise psychology has expanded its topical coverage
as well as the range of populations at which its interventions have been aimed. To
explain, whereas this discipline used to be concerned mainly with performance
enhancement in sport performers, its scope has now enlarged to accommodate aspects of
exercise and health in people of all ages—regardless of their athletic status. Second, the
extent and quality of research in sport and exercise are indicated by the number of peer-
reviewed journals in this field. To illustrate, a selection of scholarly journals containing
the words “sport” and/or “exercise” is presented in Box 1.8.

Box 1.8 Selected journals in the field of sport and exercise psychology

International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology(published by the International

Sport and exercise psychology: A critical introduction 26