The Mindset Behind Sporting Achievement

• By Michael Sheard

Mental toughness is one of the most common terms used in sport – by athletes, coaches, spectators and the media. However, it is also one of the least understood terms. This book provides a definitive and readable overview of the area, and presents the cutting-edge research in the field of mental toughness.

The book introduces the historical and conceptual arguments behind this research, and looks at the characteristics and development of mentally tough sport performers. It suggests that mental toughness is a personality style and mindset, presenting a case for its inclusion within the positive psychological paradigm. The book also explores various measures of this concept and their psychometric properties, and considers cultural and national perspectives as well as the possibility of mental toughness heredity. Sheard exposes the development and maintenance of mental toughness as a factor for successful sport and life performance, and discusses the possibilities for future research on the subject.

This book is unique in considering the idea of mental toughness as an “achievement mindset” and is an invaluable resource for sport and exercise psychology and science students and lecturers. It also provides an important reference for sport participants, coaches, and enthusiasts.

ISBN: 9780415491099

Published June 26 2009 by Routledge.

Exploring Techniques Used to Enhance Human Performance

• By David Vernon

Throughout time, people have explored the ways in which they can improve some aspect of their performance. Such attempts are more visible today, with many working to gain an ‘edge’ on their performance, whether it is to learn a new language, improve memory or increase golf handicaps. This book examines a range of techniques that are intended to help improve some aspect of performance, and examines how well they are able to achieve this.

The various performance enhancing techniques available can be divided into those where the individual remains passive (receiving a message, suggestion or stimulus) and those where the individual needs to take a more active approach. Human Potential looks at a range of techniques within each of these categories to provide the reader with a sense of the traditional as well as the more contemporary approaches used to enhance human performance. The techniques covered include hypnosis, sleep learning, subliminal training and audio and visual cortical entrainment as well as mnemonics, meditation, speed-reading, biofeedback, neurofeedback and mental imagery practice.

This is the first time such a broad range of techniques has been brought together to be assessed in terms of effectiveness. It will be useful to all psychology and sports science students, practicing psychologists, life coaches and anyone else interested in finding out about the effectiveness of performance enhancement techniques.

ISBN: 9780415457699

Published June 11 2009 by Routledge.

A Review

• Edited by Stephen Mellalieu, Sheldon Hanton

Advances in Applied Sport Psychology aims to bridge the gap between research and practice in contemporary sport psychology. The book draws together reviews of cutting edge research in key areas of applied sport psychology, assesses the implications of this research for current practice, and explores future avenues of research within each thematic area.

The book surveys the scientific literature underpinning the most important skills and techniques employed in contemporary sport psychology, examining key topics such as:

• Imagery
• Goal setting
• Self-talk
• Stress management
• Team building
• Efficacy Management
• Attention control
• Emotion regulation
• Mental toughness.

Representing the most up-to-date review of current scientific research, theory and practice in sport psychology, this book is a vital resource for all advanced students, researchers and practitioners working with athletes and sports performers.

ISBN: 9780415447638

Published December 10 2008 by Routledge.

• By Arnold LeUnes

This new, updated, fourth edition of Arnold LeUnes’s textbook has comprehensive coverage of sport psychology with a healthy balance between theory and application. The strong applied approach is emphasized throughout but is essentially apparent in the second half of the book.

The book features a strong pedagogical program including interesting applied vignettes, chapter outlines, emboldened key terms with glossary, very thorough chapter summaries, student-oriented suggested readings, and numerous tables and figures to visually summarize the key concepts. The book’s shorter chapters make it easier to assign one per class.

In addition, a website of supplemental resources, free of charge to qualified adopters, makes this new edition even more accessible and student-friendly.

ISBN: 9780805862669

Published June 18 2008 by Psychology Press.

• By Ellis Cashmore

Now including exercise psychology terms for the first time in its new edition, Sport and Exercise Psychology: The Key Concepts offers a highly accessible introduction to this fascinating subject, its central theories and state-of-the-art research. Over 300 alphabetically-ordered entries cover such diverse terms as:

adherence
aggression
emotion
exercise dependence
home advantage
kinesiphobia
left-handedness
motivation
retirement
self-confidence.

Cross-referenced, with suggestions for further reading and a full index, this latest key guide contains invaluable advice on the psychology of Sport and Exercise. A comprehensive A-Z guide to a fast-moving field of inquiry, this book is an essential resource for scholars, coaches, trainers, journalists, competitors, exercisers; in fact anyone associated with sport and exercise.

ISBN: 9780415438650

Published May 23 2008 by Routledge.

Practical Sport Psychology

• By John Kremer, Aidan P. Moran

Are you "only as good as your last game"?

Is it really just a matter of "keeping your eye on the ball"?

Pure Sport: Practical Sport Psychology explains in everyday language the whys and wherefores of contemporary sport psychology - pinpointing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to performance enhancement.

As the title suggests, Pure Sport goes back to basics by highlighting practical concerns for those who are involved with competitive sport at every level - from junior club to international élite. Drawing on their considerable experience as both academic researchers and applied sport psychologists, the authors present a powerful array of techniques for channelling and harnessing mental skills with the goal of improving sporting performance. The interventions that they describe have all been tried and tested in competitive settings, but here, for the first time, the psychological techniques underlying them are brought together in a single volume that uniquely blends sound theory with good practice.

Liberally sprinkled with practical examples, evocative photographs and clear diagrams, Pure Sport is essential reading for anyone with an active involvement or interest in sport. It will help coaches, teams and sports people alike to develop their mental edge and so realise their true potential in sport and through sport.

ISBN: 9780415395571

Published January 10 2008 by Routledge.

Performance Enhancement, Performance Inhibition, Individuals, and Teams

• By Nicholas T. Gallucci

Sport Psychology is a senior undergraduate textbook that provides a synthesis of the major topics in sport psychology with an applied focus and an emphasis on achieving optimal performance.

After the introductory chapters, there are three main sections to the text: Performance Enhancement covers topics such as anxiety, routines, mental imagery, self-talk, concentration, relaxation, goals, and self-confidence.

The section on Performance Inhibition includes chapters on choking under pressure, self-handicapping, procrastination, perfectionism, substance abuse, burnout, and injury.

While much of the information presented is universally applicable, individual differences based on gender, ethnicity, age, and motivation are emphasized in the concluding section on Individuals and Teams.

Throughout, there are case studies of well-known athletes from a variety of sports to illustrate topics that are being explored.

Sport Psychology is supported by a CD-ROM of instructor resources, which is free of charge to qualifying adopters and their students.

ISBN: 9781841694856

Published January 03 2008 by Psychology Press.

Contemporary Themes

• Edited by Mark R. Beauchamp, Mark A. Eys

Can a better understanding of group dynamics raise individual and team athletic performance or improve the outcomes of exercise interventions?

Much human behaviour in sport and exercise settings is embedded within groups where individuals’ cognitions, emotions, and behaviours influence and are influenced by other group members. Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes explores the unique psychological dynamics that emerge in sport and exercise groups. It provides a clear and thorough guide to contemporary theory and research. Recommendations are also presented to inform applied psychology ‘best practice’.

Drawing together the expertise of international specialists from sports and exercise psychology, the text covers core themes as well as emerging issues in group dynamics. The text is organised into four sections:

Part 1: The Self in Groups

Part 2: Leadership in Groups

Part 3: Group Environment

Part 4: Motivation in Groups

Group Dynamics in Exercise and Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes will be of interest to psychology, kinesiology, sport and exercise science students and researchers, as well as to consultants and coaches.

ISBN: 9780415426640

Published December 06 2007 by Routledge.

• By John H. Kerr, Koenraad J. Lindner, Michelle Blaydon

Exercise dependence or addiction has been described as a 'positive addiction', but it can have links with damaging dysfunctional and excessive behaviours, including eating disorders. Clinical and sport psychologists now acknowledge the condition and report that it can be found in recreational exercisers and competitive athletes.

This is the first text to provide a comprehensive guide to exercise dependence. The text contains case studies and reviews research into exercise dependence in both 'exercise' and 'sports' contexts. The authors examine the condition in the widest sense, exploring different types of exercise dependence, risk factors associated with the condition, the experiences and motivational characteristics of sufferers, links with eating disorders, and a number of approaches to counselling.

This text will be of significant interest to psychologists working in sport, health and clinical practice, as well as to athletes and sports coaches, particularly those involved in endurance sports associated with higher incidences of exercise dependence.

ISBN: 9780415393447

Published August 07 2007 by Routledge.

• By John Honeybourne

This user-friendly, accessible text will enable new students to understand the basic concepts of sport skills acquisition. Each chapter covers important theoretical background and shows how this theory can be applied through practical examples from the world of sport. The book also examines the ways in which skills can be developed most effectively and addresses issues such as:

• characteristics and classifications of abilities and skills in sport
• information processing in sport
• motor programmes and motor control
• phases of learning
• presentation of skills and practices.

A valuable resource for students and teachers in physical education, sport studies and sports science courses as well as for coaches who want to develop their theoretical knowledge.

ISBN: 9780415349352

Published August 07 2006 by Routledge.