Boosting athletic performance with psychology has never been more popular. The fitness and psychology industries have significantly overlapped, which has resulted in new career opportunities in the sports psychology field. As a result, sports psychologists are in high demand for their expertise in body-centered healing modalities that positively impact mental and emotional well-being. At the same time, the sports industry is increasingly relying on sports psychologists to help athletes elevate their game to new heights.
Faulkner University, a Christian liberal arts college based in Montgomery, Alabama, offers a bachelor’s degree in sports psychology to help students take advantage of these opportunities. Here, we discuss the dual role sports psychologists play in the sports and psychology fields, as well as the daily work involved in the profession.
What Is Sports Psychology?
Sports psychologists focus on learning about the motivational aspects of fitness, drawing broadly from psychology research to maximize the connection between mental health and sports performance. This gives them the expertise necessary to develop the most effective coaching techniques for athletes. At the same time, they can provide greater insight into how physical fitness can be used to bolster traditional therapy and improve mental health.
With deep insight into the connection between mind and body, those with a sports psychology degree understand the various factors involved in using fitness to improve psychological health, and vice versa. They in turn enjoy a flexible range of fulfilling career opportunities in two highly fulfilling industries aimed at improving health and well-being.
What Do Sports Psychologists Do?
Depending on a sports psychologist’s unique specialization, their overarching aim is generally twofold:
- They help athletes achieve greater sports performance and recover from injuries with evidence-based psychological techniques.
- They help clients reduce mental or emotional suffering through physical therapies.
Sports psychologists hired by professional organizations will be much more heavily involved in sports performance but may also be called on to help athletes overcome challenging psychological obstacles that detract from their performance.
Those working in various therapeutic roles will primarily work to show patients how physical fitness can help them overcome trauma, depression, anxiety, and other psychological difficulties.
On the Field
Most commonly, sports psychologists are hired to help professional athletes achieve greater performance. Here, the sports psychologist is tasked with teaching the athletes psychological techniques designed to help them break through mental barriers and reach new levels of talent.
There are several strategies involved depending on the athlete’s unique needs, which can include:
- Developing more effective training routines
- Increasing focus and composure while reducing anxiety
- Practicing mental preparation and visualization techniques
- Improving recovery outcomes for sports-related injuries
- Maximizing performance while under pressure
- Handling performance-related fears
In the Clinic
Sports psychologists assist people interested in achieving greater mental health through various physical modalities. Psychologists and clinical researchers have proven that many conditions previously thought to be mental disorders also have highly physical components.
From lessening the severity of depression to recovering from violent trauma, body-based exercise therapies are helping people achieve lasting improvements in mental and emotional well-being. As experts in the mind-body connection, sports psychologists are frequently called on to lead patients through physical and mental exercises designed to alleviate symptoms.
What Can You Do with a Sports Psychology Degree?
A sports psychology degree can prepare students for numerous career possibilities. The fields of athletics, health care, medical research, psychology, education, and the fitness industry at large are all wide open to sports psychologists. Sports psychologists are also highly sought after in the performing arts and entertainment industries. Many companies and institutions require sports psychologists to provide greater physical and psychological support for elders, military veterans, people with disabilities, prison populations, and the general population alike.
As people become more aware of the positive impact physical health has on psychological health, a wide range of opportunities are open to trained sports psychologists. Here are just a few careers those with sports psychology degrees can look forward to:
- School athletic counselor
- Exercise program assistant
- Physical rehabilitation assistant
- Head or assistant coaching positions
- School academic advisor
- Training team member
Get a Degree in Sports Psychology with Faulkner University
Faulkner University offers an advanced Bachelor of Science degree in sports psychology at our campuses in Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile, Alabama. For greater flexibility, we also provide a fully online sports psychology degree program, as well as hybrid options requiring partial on-campus attendance.
Students can customize their degrees to reflect their specific interests and career goals. The programs offered at Faulkner University provide foundational knowledge that’s perfect for diving deeper into the different specialties of this rapidly growing field. Graduates can also pursue advanced training, such as a master’s degree or doctorate, in sports and performance psychology. Get started on your journey to earn a degree in sports psychology by requesting more information or applying online today.