Back in the early 90s, after completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I knew there was not much I would be able to do directly related to therapy or counseling without getting an advanced degree. The problem was that I lost interest in what I believed, at that time, a therapist would spend most of her time doing. That is until I realized there was such a thing as sport psychology, and that I could study it in graduate school and work with athletes. Since then, I went on to eventually complete my PhD in sport psychology. It was an obvious choice for me because it combined my interests in studying counseling, mental health and behavior, along with sport. Back then, most people had very little idea of what sport psychology entailed, and unfortunately, not much has changed in that regard. It has gained some prominence in the professional sport world, and on college campuses, but many people still do not fully understand what it is. What is also interesting is that exercise psychology has also gained some distinction more recently. Add into the equation what many know as performance psychology, and you will have people asking “what is the difference between sport, exercise, and performance psychology?”
So, the purpose of writing this is to briefly describe and discuss the differences and how it may show up in day-to-day use. You do not have to be an athlete, bodybuilder, or entertainer to reap the benefits of these practices. Depending on what you are focusing on, there is value that all three can provide to anyone throughout the lifespan. So here are some basic descriptors:
Sport psychology – focuses on factors that influence athletic performance on any level. Things like anxiety control before or during competition, group dynamics in team sports, athlete burnout, creating a mental plan for training, stress management, dealing with acute or chronic injuries, coach to athlete relationships, motivation in practice or competition; and even more serious clinical issues like eating disorders, depression, drug addiction, gambling addiction, concussion protocols, and issues with violence. Within the culture of sport, there are many issues that require a special type of knowledge due to the pressures of athletic participation; whether we’re talking about a recreational athlete who is running her first marathon, compared to little Johnny who freezes up every time he goes up to bat during a game but is great during practice, or the elite athlete who is constantly practicing or traveling for competition and has very little time for leisure activity.
Exercise psychology – is more focused on the relationship between physical activity and the effects on brain function, mental health, mood enhancement, factors that lead to greater adherence to exercise programs, cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan, and behaviors in exercise settings. There is a broader focus on behavioral health aspects that impact the general population; thus, having the potential to impact public health. So, whether you are an avid exerciser, a couch potato, or weekend warrior, there are psychological issues at play.
Performance psychology – is a more general term that encompasses the examination and application of evidenced based practices to improve human performance. So, whether you are a business executive, a performing artist, a group leader, an entrepreneur, writer, or researcher, to name a few…we are all engaged in some type of “performance” where many of us want to optimize how we do, what we do. Anyone can benefit from using goal setting techniques, improved communication skills, develop leadership skills, build confidence, concentrate under pressure, using imagery for motivation, goal mapping, and so on.
What helps to separate the three is the individual or group seeking to improve performance, and the setting in which it is being done. The people who teach, counsel, or provide therapy are also different in terms of their approaches and the levels of education and training needed to address different levels of performance, clinical, or medical need. An athletic coach can incorporate aspects of sport psychology for team building, but she is not a mental health expert. A personal trainer or group fitness instructor can incorporate aspects of exercise psychology, and a business manager can incorporate facets of performance psychology in creating a successful business culture, but neither of these are licensed clinicians to treat mental health issues. More serious issues will require advanced education and training, and this is where it becomes necessary to know the difference when providing or seeking help. A person with a master’s degree in sports counseling is not trained to treat athletes who have an eating disorder, but that professional can still help athletes work on performance anxiety during competition. A life coach who is great at helping executives in goal setting and time management will not have the same level of training as a psychiatrist who can prescribe medicine for clinical depression, or the school psychologist who can administer an assessment to help diagnose a learning disorder.
Ultimately, professionals who work in sport, exercise, and performance psychology will have varying degrees of education, expertise, and what they are legally trained and licensed to do. It is up to the consumer to have some knowledge of how mental health professionals differ, what their particular needs are, and how they can be served by those who claim a specialization in either of these areas.