Sub module : Introduction to Psychology
Sub module 2: Measurement of Physical Activity
Sub module 3: Stress
Sub module 4: Anxiety/Depression
Sub module continued
100

Sports psychology started in 1980s

1. Norman Triplett Coleman Griffith, 2.Franklin Henry (major program of study in 1900s) 3. Bruce Olgivie (1st sports psychologist prolific in research)


. What is the history of sport & exercise psychol

ogy including the timeline, influential people, etc

100

the main characteristics of an instrument

 to pay attention to when selecting one to measure 

physical activity?

what is validity, what is reliability 


100

An imbalance between psychological and or physical demand & response capabilities (threatened homeostasis) experiences when we face challenges, challenges= stressors (external vs internal; distress vs eustress

what is stress ? 

100

natural reaction to a threat that happens at a certain point in the stress response. 

physically tense, jittery, short of breath, increased hr, sweating chest pain

what is Anxiety ? 

100

Which hypothesis proposes that the psycholog

ical effects of exercise are derived 

from the sense of accomplishment that is felt when completing a task

what is mastery hypothesis 

200

one of the first “sport consultants” to assist athletes with performance

who was Bruce Oligivie

200

When Tom, a freshman in college, completes the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise 

Questionnaire he reports that he “typically” engages 

in 5 bouts of strenuous activity a week because he 

played basketball in high school although he has not 

played since he graduated. 

Tom’s self-report of his 

physical activity level represents which measurement problem

what is ability 

200

physiological responses are

what is increased hr, respiratory rate, BP sweating, (fight or flight) 

what is anxiety, excitability, vunerability?  

200

types of anxiety disorders & know the symptoms 

what is 

Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia

Specific Phobias (object or situation)

Social Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)*

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)*

300

  the two types of sport psychology consultants? What are the major differences between the two

What is educational and what is clinical 

Educational 

300

the two main categories of physical a

ctivity instruments? What are the specific types of 

physical activity instruments within each categor

what is indirect measures and direct measures ?

what is self administered questionnaires ?

what is interview administer questionnaires 

what is pa diaries and logs ?

300

Type of stressors: 


Acute stress (short-term)–

Something major happens in life (moving, changing jobs)–

Experiencing a loss

–Something goes wrong or happens unexpectedly (car accident)

Episodic acute stress (frequent)–

Life feels disorderly, in perpetual crisis, chaotic, or out of 

control

•Likely experiencing if always rushing/late, take on too much, have 

nervous energy, have “worry wart” tendencies–

Always facing a new stressful situation•

Chronic stress (long-term)

unrelenting demands & pressures for seemingly interminable 

periods of time” (APA Help Center)

Wears you down, seems endless (poverty/financial worries, 

dysfunctional families/relationships, caring for chronically ill fa

300

 How can each mental health variable

/disorder be measured/screened/diagnosed?

Measurement of Anxiety

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM; diagnoses of disorder)–

Standard classification criteriaQuestionnaires (screening symptoms

400

the PA guidelines for children ? and adolescents? adults?

Children should be physical active throughout the day. 

what is 60 minutes of physical activity a day what is 3x per week ages 6-17 

what is 150-300 mins per week via moderate intensity adult ages 

what is 75-150 mins vigorously 

equivalent of both 

what is muscle strengthening two times a day 


400

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of each

 specific type of instrument ? relate to all 

Questionnaires advantages: test ( retest reliability) feasibility: easy to administer, inexpensive, low participation burden, use in variety settings, objectivity, reactivity. 

Questionaires disadvantage: criterion validity difficult to assess. unsure of sensitivity objectivity social desirability demand characteristics recall bias comprehension. 

Advantages– what is of diaries and logs 

Construct & Convergent 

Validity*

–Test-Retest Reliability*

–Feasibility

•Low participant burden 

(brief records/short 

period of time)

Objectivity

Recall bias

what is Disadvantages of diaries and logs 

–Feasibility

•High participant burden (detailed records /long period of time)

•High staff burden to analyze (detailed 

records/long period of time)

Objectivity

•Reactivity

•Social desirability •Demand characteristics, 


400

physiological measures *must actively used* 

*heart rate, *blood pressure, *skin response *hormonal change *EMG (muscle tension) 

400

. What are traditional treatments of these problems/disorders (if applicable)?

Medication

Anti-anxiety/tranquilizers 

–Anti-depressants

•Psychotherapy

–Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-”gold standard”

•Determine cause-and-effect among thoughts, feelings, behaviors

500

Scientific study of how perceptions, cognitions, and 

emotions influence sport performance

what is sports psychology 

500

Advantages and disadvantages of 

Direct Measures such as relates to validity, reliability, objectivity and feasibility 

•Pedometers

•Accelerometers

•Global Positioning System (GPS)

•Direct Observation

what is pedometer ?

advantages

‒Validity and Reliability

•Certain models

Objectivity

what is accelerometers ? 

Accelerometers

Advantages

Validity and Reliability

Walking, Running

Feasibility

Modest participant 

burden

Objectivity

Social desirability

Demand characteristics

Recall bias

Disadvantages

Validity and Reliability

Accuracy decreases for 

upper-body, strength 

training, water, complex, 

and lifestyle activities

Accuracy dependent on 

participant compliance

Feasibility 

Cost

Limited settings

–Objectivity

Social desirability

•Demand characteristics

•Recall bias

‒Feasibility

•Low cost

•Small size

•Low participant burden

Disadvantages

–Validity and Reliability

Accuracy decreases for 

very slow walking

•Does not measure 

upper-body, strength 

Training, water 

activities

•No intensity, duration, 

type info

•Accuracy dependent on participant compliance 

–Objectivity

•Reactivity

500

physical fitness - may also facilitate an individual's ability to recover after being subjected to a stressor (duration of responses= stress recovery)  

What is stress Reactivity ?

500

What are the possible mechanisms for the 

relationship between physical activity stress 

reactivity/recovery, anxiety, and depression? Which 

ones are not supported, and which ones seem to hold 

the most promise?


Psychological

Time-out/Distraction Hypothesis (possible, more than time-out)

Core Affect Hypothesis (potential)

Anxiety Symptom Interpretation (potential)

Anthropological Hypothesis (see Depression)

Mastery Hypothesis (see Depression)

Social Interaction Hypothesis (see Depression)

Physiological

Thermogenic Hypothesis (not probable)

Neurogenesis (BDNF) Hypothesis (see Depression)

Endorphin Hypothesis (see Depression)

Neurotransmitters (monoamine

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