45113 - PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORT

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: A hard tackle from Víctor Illera to Domínguez

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• Catalan

Resource language: Catalan, Spanish and English

The subject of Psychology of Physical Activity and Sport provides CAFE students with basic knowledge about the psychological aspects that occur in the performance of physical activity and in the dynamics of training and sports competition.

This knowledge is applicable to most career opportunities (fitness monitor, personal trainer, physical trainer, sports technician, teacher ...) because they allow better understanding and connection with the people to whom these professionals are addressed (improving their leadership ), and because they are a help in order to be able to better optimize the dynamics of training (improving the technical facet from incorporating and managing the psychological processes in learning and performance).

The approach of the subject (face-to-face, with participatory dynamics) implies for students important work in a group but also autonomously, participating in the different seminars and scheduled exercises.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, either towards students or towards teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others. 

The use of AI in this subject is regulated by the learning plan.

BLOCK 1. FUNDAMENTALS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Subject 1. Introduction to the Psychology and to the Psychology of the Sport

• Psychology. Definition and object of study
• Historical evolution of psychology. Schools
• The Psychology of Sport. Definition and object of study.
• Historical evolution of Sport Psychology.
• The role of the Sports Psychologist. Areas of intervention and professional accreditation.

Topic 2. Introduction to the instruments and tools of data collection in psychology

• Evaluation in Sports Psychology: initial exploration, follow-up and assessment.
• Questionnaires and tests most used in Sports Psychology: available tools (CBAS, ICE, SAS-2...).
• Interviews: formats and applications.
• Observation methodology: procedures and instruments for external observation and self-observation.

BLOCK 2. VALUES AND SPORT

Subject 3. The socialization through the sport

• Definition
• The transmission of values ​​through sport
• Gender stereotypes
• Sexual abuse and gender violence.

BLOCK 3. PSYCHOLOGY AND INDIVIDUAL VARIABLES

Topic 4. Motivation and emotion

• What is motivation. Main theories in the field of sports.
• Motivation in the sports context: tools and applications.
• What are emotions. Main theories in the field of sports.
• Emotions in the sports context: tools and applications.

Item 5. Self-confidence

• What is self-confidence and its impact on performance.
• Main models applied to the sports field.
• Tools to work on self-confidence.

Item 6. Attention and concentration 

• What is attention. Main theories in the field of sports.
• Improving attention and concentration: strategies applied.

Item 7. The personality

• Concept of personality
• Main theories of personality applied to sport
• Personality and sport: applications in the field of sport

Item 8. Anxiety and stress

• Concept and definition of stress, anxiety and activation.
• Main theories and models used in sport.
• Sources and effects of anxiety in sport: competitive anxiety.
• Strategies to control the level of stress and anxiety in athletes

BLOCK 4. GROUP PSYCHOLOGY

Item 9. Leadership

• Types of leadership. Characteristics and evaluation tools.
• Management skills. Managerial behavior and supportive behavior
• Strategies applied to be an effective leader

Item 10. Communication

• Definition and characteristics.
• Theoretical models most applied to sports
• Strategies for effective communication

Topic 11. Group management

• The management of conflicts in the sporting field.
• Main personal skills for group management. Practical examples.
• Strategies from sports psychology

BLOCK 5. PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING 

Item 12. The laws of learning

• Principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning
• Behavioral assessment. Basic concepts and application to sport.
• Behavioral techniques: the CBAS questionnaire.

BLOCK 6. OTHER FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Item 13. The psychological risks of sport

• Addictions
• Eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia
• Mental health

Item 14. Psychology of injuries 

• Theoretical models most used in the intervention of injuries
• Pain psychology: basic principles.
• Phases of an intervention in injury recovery. Case study.

Item 15. The psychology of arbitration  

• Introduction to the psychology of arbitration
• Creation of a psychological training plan for referees 

Item 16. The withdrawal of the athlete

• Psychological factors of sports withdrawal
• Contextual factors of sports retirement
• Preparation for retirement.

Qualification system (Royal Decree 1125/2003, of 5 September, which establishes the European credit system and the system of qualifications in university degrees of an official nature and valid throughout the state):

• 0-4,9: Suspension (SS)
• 5,0-6,9: Approved (AP)
• 7,0-8,9: Notable (NT)
• 9,0 - 10: Excellent (EX)

The final grade of the student is the result of a continuous assessment through different assessment activities. The pass of the subject is obtained with a grade equal to or higher than 5 points (out of 10 points) according to the following weighting table:

Therefore, the acquisition of skills by the student will be assessed through the system of continuous assessment and through a final exam.  

Final Exam

The final exam has a total weighting of 50% of the overall grade of the subject.

NECESSARY criteria to average between the evaluation activities:

Continuous Evaluation

It has a total weighting of 50% of the overall grade of the subject. In order to be entitled to the final exam, the student must pass the continuous assessment (minimum grade of 5). If continuous assessment is failed, the subject is automatically failed. Continuous assessment is not subject to recovery.

There will be a resit exam to be done early next quarter. In accordance with current regulations, you can only opt for recovery, if it has been suspended the subject. If the rating is Not presented, you will not be eligible for recovery.

Seminar and assignment grades will be saved to be used as an average for the retake exam. In the event of a failure, students will have to take the subject the following year and no grades will be saved.

Arbinaga, F. and Canton, E. (2013). Psychology of sport and health: a complex relationship. Madrid: Editorial EOS.

Buceta, JM (1998). Psychology of sports training. Madrid: Dyckinson.

Buceta, JM (2021). High Performance Sport Psychology. Dykinson.

Dosil, J. (2008). Psychology of physical activity and sport. Second edition. Madrid: McGraw-Hill / Interamericana de España.

Vives, J. (2011). Coaching the coach: Ideas and tricks for constructive and effective communication. Madrid: Bubok.

Clèries, X. (2006). Communication. An essential competency for health professionals. Barcelona: Elsevier.

Gil, J. (2004). Health Psychology. Historical, conceptual approach and applications. Pyramid: Madrid.

Márquez, Sara. (2004). Anxiety, stress and sport. Madrid: Editorial EOS

Miangolarra, JC (2003). Comprehensive clinical rehabilitation. Functioning and disability. Masson: Barcelona.

Valdés, HM (1998). Personality and sport. Barcelona: INDIA Publications.