The Phoenix Performance Psychology Corner

What is Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology?

Sport, exercise and performance psychology (SEPP) is the use of psychological skills based on evidence-based approaches and methods to enhance performance and facilitate consistency with optimal performance (Association for Applied Sport Psychology [AASP], n.d.). While SEPP are commonly grouped together, they are separate areas of study and practice.

Sport Psychology
Sport psychology is focused on performance enhancement in the athletic and competitive setting. Due to the competitive setting, mental skills are often geared towards supporting the attainment of an outcome goal (e.g., winning). Athletes and coaches, at the individual level and in a team setting, are typically those who seek to benefit from sport psychology services. A mental performance consultant in the sport setting might work with athletes, coaches, and other sport personnel on topics like performance anxiety, self-talk, imagery, confidence and injury rehabilitation (Shollenberger, 2024).

Exercise Psychology
Exercise psychology focuses on supporting individuals’ participation in- and maintenance of- healthy behaviors, like exercise and physical activity (Cremades & Mugford, 2019). Exercise psychology supports individuals’ attainment of positive health outcomes and promotes health through positive behavior changes. The American College of Sport Medicine Exercise is Medicine (2021) notes that exercise has been found to reduce mild to moderate feelings of anxiety and depression which suggests that consistent practice of regular activity can yield positive mental health outcomes, though many struggle to adhere to consistent healthy habits and routines. A mental performance consultant in the exercise or physical activity setting might work with individuals on topics like motivation, goal setting, mindfulness, and adopting and maintaining physical activity routines (Fitzpatrick, n.d.).

Performance Psychology
There are three different areas that SEPP professionals can have careers in: teaching, research and/or applied work. Teaching consists of working in academia by holding a SEPP faculty or teaching position at a college or university. Teaching can be accompanied by research as well and provides the opportunity to contribute to literature while educating the next practitioners of the field. SEPP researchers conduct research to advance thought, theory, and evidence-based practices related to SEPP. Applied work focuses on teaching the application of mental skills through consulting services. Applied work, often called mental performance consulting, can be done in any of the settings mentioned above (sport, exercise, performance). Some professionals have careers in one or more areas (teach, research, and/or consult) and have expertise in one or more of the settings (sport, exercise, and/ or performance psychology).

Performance psychology is often thought of as the umbrella that sport- and exercise- psychology fall under and also includes other populations like tactical; corporate executives; musicians and performing artists; and medical and emergency personnel. Due to the high-pressure environments these professionals work and perform in, a mental performance consultant in the performance setting might work with individuals on arousal and emotional regulation, attentional control, performance anxiety, and mental flexibility (AASP, 2022).

SEPP Professionals
There are three different areas that SEPP professionals can have careers in: teaching, research and/or applied work. Teaching consists of working in academia by holding a SEPP faculty or teaching position at a college or university. Teaching can be accompanied by research as well and provides the opportunity to contribute to literature while educating the next practitioners of the field. SEPP researchers conduct research to advance thought, theory, and evidence-based practices related to SEPP. Applied work focuses on teaching the application of mental skills through consulting services. Applied work, often called mental performance consulting, can be done in any of the settings mentioned above (sport, exercise, performance). Some professionals have careers in one or more areas (teach, research, and/or consult) and have expertise in one or more of the settings (sport, exercise, and/ or performance psychology).

The SEPP field offers diverse opportunities for both the professionals working it and the individuals seeking its services. For more detailed information about SEPP, including specific areas of specialization, please visit the Association for Applied Sport Psychology or the American Psychology Association Division 47.

References  

Association for Applied Sport Psychology. (n.d.). About sport & performance psychology. https://appliedsportpsych.org/about-the-association-for-applied-sport-psychology/about-sport-and-performance-psychology/

Association for Applied Sport Psychology. (2022, March 10). Utilizing mental skills training for musician performance. . YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeZv1MPBMuU

Cremades, J.G. Mugford, A. (2019). Introduction. In A. Mugford & J.G. Cremades (Eds.) Sport, exercise and performance psychology theories and applications (pp. 2-4). Routledge.

Exercise is Medicine (2021). Anxiety and depression. American College of Sport Medicine.  https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/anxiety-and-depression/#:~:text=Regular%20physical%20activity%20is%20good,better%20and%20have%20more%20energy

Fitzpatrick, S. (n.d.). Have you thought about exercise psychology? Association for Applied Sport Psychology. https://appliedsportpsych.org/resources/health-fitness-resources/have-you-thought-about-exercise-psychology/ 

Shollenberger, B. (2024, August 22). How do sport psychologists help athletes’ performance? American Military University. https://www.amu.apus.edu/area-of-study/health-sciences/resources/how-do-sports-psychologists-help-athletes/ 

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The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology (SEPP) program started in Fall 2020. The SEPP program is a two-year master’s graduate program that is housed in the Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (UWGB). SEPP students complete 39 credits over four academic semesters with three of those credits being completed during one summer course between the first and second year in the program. Students generally take 9 credits per semester (and 3 credits during the summer session). The SEPP program is exclusively offered in-person, although some electives offered outside of the SEPP program may be online and the one SEPP summer class is online. SEPP students can expect to complete the vast majority of their SEPP coursework on campus at UWGB. The SEPP program offers two curriculum tracks: Course-based and Applied.

The Course-based Track provides students with SEPP-related coursework and opportunities that contribute to knowledge and skills in performance psychology, mental performance, leadership, and coaching. Acquired SEPP knowledge and skills can be used to inform careers in coaching, athletic administration, health and wellness promotion, sport development, athletic advising, and other performance settings.

• The core Course-Based Track SEPP coursework is designed to align with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s (AASP) guidelines for the foundational knowledge areas that are required to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®). Thus, the Course-based Track can be a good fit for students who are interested in completing the foundational CMPC coursework yet not quite ready to pursue applied sport and performance psychology service delivery.
• The Course-based Track curriculum includes 9 credits of electives that provide students the opportunity to tailor their educational pathway to their individual interests and goals. For example, students interested in coaching may elect to take graduate level coaching courses that are offered in the Education department. Students interested in gaining applied SEPP research experience may elect to take independent study credits with SEPP and PSYCH faculty to engage in research and scholarly activities. Often, students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate degree (PhD, PsyD) in clinical, counseling, or sport psychology will need significant research experience to be a well-rounded doctoral applicant. The Course-based Track provides students with elective coursework to accomplish this. Electives in the form of independent study projects can also be tailored to fit the needs and interests of Course-based Track students. Students are encouraged to speak with faculty about various independent study opportunities. The SEPP program offers various outreach experiences where students can participate in SEPP-related psychoeducational presentations and workshops. In their last semester, Course-based Track students complete a culminating project that illustrates their participation in and accomplishments in the SEPP program learning outcomes.

The Applied Track provides students with SEPP-related coursework and opportunities that contribute to knowledge and skills in performance psychology, mental performance, leadership, and coaching while also providing applied performance psychology consulting experience via the sequence of practicum courses.

• The Applied Track is tailored for individuals who want to work directly with athletes, performers, and other clients to enhance their mental performance. This track may be ideal for students who are interested in becoming a CMPC® as it provides the AASP aligned coursework mentioned above and also provides supervised practicum hours required for certification. While students may not earn all of the supervised practicum hours required for certification during their time in the SEPP program, the sequence of practicum courses and quality supervision contribute to significant progress toward the required hours.
• Whereas Course-based Track students complete 9 credits of electives, Applied Track students complete 9 credits of practicum: 3 credits of a pre-practicum course that prepares students for the applied consulting experience and 6 credits of practicum courses where students are engaging in the applied consulting experience with athletes and performers. Students take Practicum I in the fall semester of their second year and Practicum II in the spring semester of their second year. In their last semester, Applied Track students complete a culminating project that illustrates their participation in and accomplishments in the CMPC® task domains.

Want to hear from a SEPP alumna? Click here to hear Alexa share her SEPP experiences!

By: Dr. Joanna Morrissey, Chair of the Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology Program