How do great athletes defy the power law of practice, according to which improvements in skill eventually plateau?\nCommentators and spectators alike are fascinated by how athletes such as Roger Federer, Tom Brady, and Serena Williams are capable both of moments of exquisite brilliance and of sustaining such excellence over a prolonged period. But what separates these great athletes from those who have achieved a certain level of expertise before finding that their performance has started to plateau? How is it possible for world-class athletes- athletes who seem to be at the top of their game- to keep improving?\nTo solve this puzzle, this book presents a theory of “continuous improvement” that explains how experts use conscious strategies to update and improve motor execution in training contexts and stabilise performance under highly pressurised conditions. It argues that expertise is characterised by an attentional flexibility involving the use of reflection, abstract thought, and bodily awareness; processes used by athletes to alter bodily routines in response to contextual demands. Drawing on theory and empirical findings from a wide range of disciplines including psychology, sociology, and cognitive science, the authors outline methodological approaches and practical strategies that can be used by coaches, researchers, and athletes to understand, improve, and maintain optimal levels of performance.\nA fascinating exploration into the psychological and physical processes behind elite performance, this book will be an insightful read for students and academics of sport science, sport psychology, and kinesiology, as well as coaches, practitioners working with performers, athletes, or anyone with an interest in physical performance and improvement.

Continuous Improvement: Intertwining Mind and Body in Athletic Expertise

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Montero, Barbara

Moran, Aidan

Toner, John

Exercise & Fitness

Oxford University Press

Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

Sport and exercise psychology is a rapidly expanding field both academically and professionally. Aidan Moran, former psychologist to the Irish Olympic squad, provides the first textbook to combine an explanation of the theoretical foundations of sport and exercise psychology with critical reviews of contemporary research, and practical suggestions for relevant independent research projects. Arranged in four complementary parts, the book moves from a general discussion of the nature and role of sport psychology to explorations of individual, group and health factors affecting performance. Key themes explored in this text include: <ul>
<li>motivation and goal-setting in sport</li> <li>using imagination in sport</li> <li>coping with injury.</li>
</ul>
Designed to encourage students to apply their psychological knowledge and critical thinking abilities, each chapter features a summary and boxed highlights containing questions to help students gain maximum understanding of the material.

Psychology & Counseling

Routledge

Although sport is played with the body, it is won in the mind. Inspired by this idea, the second edition of this popular textbook provides a comprehensive critical introduction to sport and exercise psychology – a discipline that is concerned with the theory and practice of helping athletes to do their best when it matters the most. The book is organized into four sections. Part one investigates the nature, foundations and current status of the discipline. Part two reviews the latest research findings on motivation, anxiety, concentration, mental imagery and expertise in athletes. Part three examines group processes and team dynamics. Finally, part four explores exercise behaviour and the psychology of injury rehabilitation. Each chapter contains specially designed critical thinking exercises to encourage the student to explore the deeper issues, and also features an invaluable list of suggestions for independent research projects by students. The text has been extensively re-written and updated with new material to take account of hot topics such as neuroscience and motor imagery, as well as issues such as ‘grunting’ in tennis, the psychology of penalty shootouts, mindfulness training as a concentration technique, the effects of music on physical activity, and ‘exer-gaming’ – the use of computer games to increase physical activity and exercise. Written in a lively, accessible style, the book is brimful of vivid contemporary examples and insights from the world’s leading athletes, to provide a compelling bridge between theory and practice for undergraduate and postgraduate students of sport psychology, health psychology, sport science, physical education, kinesiology and leisure management. Instructors who adopt the book will be able to access a wealth of online teaching resources.

Pure Sport: Practical sport psychology

Should you always "think about it"? Are you "only as good as your last game"? Is it just a matter of "keeping your eye on the ball"? The answer to these questions is no, and to help you steer a course through the many challenges of a sporting career this second edition of Pure Sport sets out, in everyday language, the lessons you can take from contemporary sport psychology – helping you recognise what works and what doesn’t when it comes to improving performance. As the title suggests, Pure Sport goes back to basics by highlighting practical concerns for those involved with competitive sport at every age and level – from junior club members to Olympic athletes. Drawing on their considerable experience as both applied sport psychologists and academics, the authors present practical advice and a powerful array of techniques for channelling and harnessing mental skills with the goal of improving sporting performance.  Drawing on the international popularity of the first edition, in this fully updated second edition the authors have taken the opportunity to revamp chapters with colour photographs, contemporary examples, and sporting anecdotes, and the book is now even more accessible for those without a formal background in psychology.  Pure Sport, Second Edition is essential reading for anyone with an active involvement or interest in sport, it will help students, coaches, teams, and sportsmen and women to sharpen their mental edge and so realise their true potential in sport and through sport.

Kremer, John

Should you always "think about it"? Are you "only as good as your last game"? Is it just a matter of "keeping your eye on the ball"? The answer to these questions is no, and to help you steer a course through the many challenges of a sporting career this second edition of Pure Sport sets out, in everyday language, the lessons you can take from contemporary sport psychology – helping you recognise what works and what doesn’t when it comes to improving performance. As the title suggests, Pure Sport goes back to basics by highlighting practical concerns for those involved with competitive sport at every age and level – from junior club members to Olympic athletes. Drawing on their considerable experience as both applied sport psychologists and academics, the authors present practical advice and a powerful array of techniques for channelling and harnessing mental skills with the goal of improving sporting performance. Drawing on the international popularity of the first edition, in this fully updated second edition the authors have taken the opportunity to revamp chapters with colour photographs, contemporary examples, and sporting anecdotes, and the book is now even more accessible for those without a formal background in psychology. 
Pure Sport, Second Edition is essential reading for anyone with an active involvement or interest in sport, it will help students, coaches, teams, and sportsmen and women to sharpen their mental edge and so realise their true potential in sport and through sport.

<ul>
<li>What is single-case research?</li> <li>How can single-case methods be used within sport and exercise?</li>
</ul>
Single-case research is a powerful method for examining change in outcome variables such as behaviour, performance and psychological constructs, and for assessing the efficacy of interventions. It has innumerable uses within the context of sport and exercise science, such as in the development of more effective performance techniques for athletes and sportspeople and in helping us to better understand exercise behaviours in clinical populations. However, the fundamental principles and techniques of single-case research have not always been clearly understood by students and researchers working in these fields. Single-Case Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology is the first book to fully explain single-case research in the context of sport and exercise. Starting with first principles, the book offers a comprehensive introduction to the single-case research process, from study design to data analysis and presentation. Including case studies and examples from across sport and exercise psychology, the book provides practical guidance for students and researchers and demonstrates the advantages and common pitfalls of single-case research for anybody working in applied or behavioural science in a sport or exercise setting.

Single-Case Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Sports & Outdoors

McCarthy, Paul

Barker, Jamie

Jones, Marc

Miscellaneous

The Psychology of Concentration in Sport Performers: A Cognitive Analysis

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor &amp; Francis, an informa company.

Moran, Aidan P.

Pure Sport: Sport Psychology in Action

Pure Sport is a practical guide that provides insights on asserting positive mindsets, realising potential, remaining resilient against setbacks, and using these experiences to move on to greater success. The book follows the journey of the athlete through six clear steps, creating a logical framework for applied sport psychology or a path you can follow in your own practice.   The third edition is fully updated and now more accessible than ever, including new advice on maintaining a resilient attitude and taking care of athletes’ mental well-being. Drawing on decades of both practical and theoretical knowledge, the authors deliver practical advice with a thorough grounding in sport psychology, supplemented by case studies, reflection questions, common problems and effective solutions, and useful summaries of key points.  Pure Sport is essential reading for all those actively involved and interested in sport, from sports psychologists and academics, to athletes and coaches.

Kearney, Ciarán J.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Moran, Aidan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Moran, Aidan

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Moran, Aidan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Continuous Improvement: Intertwining Mind and Body in Athletic Expertise

Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Critical Introduction

Pure Sport: Practical sport psychology

Pure Sport: Practical sport psychology

Single-Case Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Psychology

The Psychology of Concentration in Sport Performers: A Cognitive Analysis

Pure Sport: Sport Psychology in Action