Sports psychologist: Job description and activities

Sport and exercise psychology is a branch of sports science. It is the scientific study of the psychological factors that are associated with participation in sport, exercise and other types of physical activity.

The contribution made by sport and exercise psychologists is in two areas:

helping athletes, through psychological treatment methods, to achieve optimum mental health and therefore enhance sporting performance (often involving techniques such as visualisation and relaxation);
conducting research to understand how participation in sport and/or physical activity affects an individual's psychological health and wellbeing throughout their life.

Sport and exercise psychologists apply psychological principles in sport settings through experience gained working with athletes, coaches or sports teams as clients. They also have expert knowledge and a research base in the psychology of sport, and familiarity with the field of exercise science.

As this is still a comparatively new specialism in the UK (although it is well developed in the USA), the most likely route to such work is through dual involvement in sport and relevant postgraduate research. Entry requirements will change shortly, however, and a psychology degree with Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) and further accredited postgraduate training will be essential (unless you have already completed at least five years' full-time (or part-time equivalent) successful service delivery involving the practice of sport and/or exercise psychology). The British Psychological Society (BPS) has further information on the new chartered route to enter this profession.

At present, The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) runs an accreditation scheme for both sport and exercise psychologists and sports scientists and keeps a list of members who can offer these services.

The majority of sports psychologists are currently either employed as university lecturers or work as consultants with clients from both sport and business/industry.

For more information see Clinical psychologist.

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