Citation

Grunberg NE, Doorley JD, Barry ES. Curr. Sports Med. Rep. 2024; 23(5): 192-198.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/JSR.0000000000001167

PMID

38709945

Abstract

Sport psychology is the scientific study and application of psychological principles to enhance performance and well-being in sport, exercise, and physical activity. It has numerous applications to sports medicine, as psychological factors are associated with sport injury risk, recovery, successful return to play, and overall health. This article addresses how sport psychology is important to sports medicine and what applied sport psychologists do. We discuss several psychological principles and practices relevant to individual performance and well-being, including goal setting, communication, arousal and performance, imagery/mental rehearsal, attention management, managing psychological distress, and behavioral health. We also discuss principles and practices of sport psychology relevant to team performance, including stages of team development, goal setting, communication, arousal and performance, and behavioral health. Sport psychology and applied sport psychology practitioners can be valued assets to sports medicine teams in supporting individual and team performance and injury recovery.

Language: en

Keywords

*Athletic Injuries/therapy/psychology; *Psychology, Sports; *Sports Medicine; Arousal; Athletic Performance/psychology; Attention; Communication; Goals; Humans; Return to Sport