Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Sports Psychology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
Introduction
This course focuses on the application of psychology across different sport contexts, from youth and grassroots sport to elite performance.
It addresses the main psychological skills applied to sport, as well as the role of sport and physical activity in mental health and in the psychological development of children and adolescents.
The course also examines psychological practice with coaches, teams, families, and other stakeholders within the sporting environment.
Pre-course requirements
Study psychology and have a basic knowledge of sport.
Objectives
- To understand the main applications of Sport Psychology.
- To understand the psychological benefits of physical activity and sport.
- To examine the role of sport in psychological development during childhood and adolescence.
- To learn how to train and apply psychological skills in sporting situations.
- To develop intervention strategies for common training and competitive situations.
- To understand the role of coaches and sport directors in athletes' psychological development.
- To analyse the influence of family, teams, and the sporting environment.
- To understand the psychological characteristics and demands associated with elite performance.
- To develop the ability to design evidence-based psychological interventions in sport.
Learning outcomes of the subject
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify the psychological needs of athletes across different ages and levels of participation.
- Apply psychological techniques in real or simulated sporting situations.
- Design exercises aimed at developing psychological skills.
- Adapt interventions to the athlete's age, sport, and context.
- Intervene on psychological variables such as attention, arousal, motivation, and emotion regulation.
- Apply strategies involving imagery, goal setting, and self-talk.
- Analyse the role of coaches and other stakeholders within the sporting environment.
- Identify psychological risk and protective factors related to mental health.
- Design evidence-based psychological intervention programmes.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course will follow a predominantly theoretical-practical and applied approach.
Teaching sessions will combine:
- Theoretical lectures.
- Analysis of scientific evidence.
- Analysis of sporting cases.
- Role-playing and simulations.
- Practice of psychological techniques.
- Design of psychological exercises.
- Analysis of sporting situations.
- Case-based problem solving.
Particular emphasis will be placed on enabling students to apply psychological skills and make appropriate intervention decisions in specific sporting situations.
| Individual knowledge assessment | 25% |
| Sporting case analysis and formulation | 25% |
| Practical activities and role-playing | 25% |
| Psychological intervention project | 25% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Bibliography and resources
- Weinberg, R. S., & Gould, D. Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
- Murphy, S. M. (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Performance Psychology.
- Andersen, M. B. Doing Sport Psychology.
- American Psychological Association. APA Handbook of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
- Psychology of Sport and Exercise
- Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
- Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
- International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
Additional bibliography will be updated throughout the course and will include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and recent scientific studies.
Evaluation period
- E1 19/01/2027 A12 10:00h