Performance and sports psychology are a dynamic field that is well-suited to individuals who are passionate about both sports and psychology. Sports psychologists work with amateur athletes, professional athletes, coaches and sports organizations. They focus on the application of psychological principles to improve performance and enhance motivation. A sports psychologist’s job responsibilities can be diverse. They may do any of the following:
- Evaluate and counsel athletes with eating disorders.
- Help athletes transition to major changes, such as joining a new team or playing for a new coach.
- Guide athletes in overcoming burnout, over-training or injury-related emotional challenges.
A sports psychologist may also work to enact organization-wide changes. In a youth sport organization, for example, a psychologist may recommend changes in policy that support a healthier school-life-sports balance for participants. In a professional sports organization, psychologists may consult with management on overcoming modern challenges. As a real-life example, consider Major League Baseball (MLB) teams that have played simulated crowd noise in empty stadiums for games played during the pandemic. A psychologist may have recommended this tactic for the purpose of supporting the players’ motivation and simulating a normal game environment.