Kinesiology emphasis areas
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Sport and Exercise Psychology examines the thoughts, feelings and actions of participants in physical activity contexts such as sport, exercise, physical education, health and wellness, and sports medicine. Scholars studying sport and exercise psychology seek to understand the social, cognitive, affective and behavioral mechanisms underlying the reciprocal influence that occurs between the social psychological climates established in physical activity contexts and the personal development, health and wellness, and motor performance of participants in those contexts. In this emphasis area, faculty and students engage in scholarship, teaching and civic engagement that focus on using sport and exercise psychology knowledge to understand and improve professional practice in forums such as youth sport parenting and coaching education, positive youth development through physical activity contexts, physical activity and health promotion through sport and lifestyle activities, and psychological and social aspects of sport injury rehabilitation. Collaborative, multidisciplinary research and outreach are conducted through such entities as the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport and the Minnesota Youth Sport Research Consortium.
Sample program for M.S. in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport and exercise psychology
Associated faculty
Jennifer Bhalla, PhD
Nicole LaVoi, PhD
Beth Lewis, PhD
Maureen Weiss, PhD