The History of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Introduction to the History of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Sport and Exercise Psychology. The study of the effect of psychological and emotional factors one sport and exercise performance, and the effect of sport and exercise involvement on psychological and emotional factors. A fascinating field which if used correctly can elicit amazing positive outcomes for enhanced performance. The field is becoming more popular as time goes on with may elite and some amateur level athletes and teams recognising its value. But how did sport psychology get to where it is today? As with many things, its history is more fascinating than one might initially think, and highlights how environmental factors and perspectives and approaches of pioneers can have a significant impact on the direction, growth, and development of such a field.

Early Days & Ancient References

If you look back far enough, signs and references to sport psychology and sport science techniques have been suggested to be found as far back as ancient Greece. Around 200AD, a Tetrad System was established as a method of optimising athletic performance through methods which reflect what we now recognise to be periodisation. But the earliest known research experiment relating to sport psychology is said to have occurred in 1898, by Norman Triplett. His research was based in a social psychology approach and was also one of the first pieces of research on social facilitation, whereby he was studying the effect of the presence of competitors on cycling performance compared to competing alone. Following this, other psychologists were influenced by their interests in sport, such as Judd (1908), Swift (1910), and Lashley (1915), who investigated skill learning using ball tossing and archery. There was also consideration for individual’s not directly involved in sport such as the general public and supporters. Partick (1903) studied the general public of the USA’s obsession with American Football, from a psychological and sociological standpoint. And Howard (1903) took a psychoanalytic approach to studying the spectators of sport and the cathartic effects associated with observing sport. These early studies show the gradual blending of scientific and psychological research with the topics of sport and sport related factors. 

Initial Development, Slow Growth, and the Cold War

It wasn’t until 1925 when the first sport psychology laboratory was established, by a man commonly referred to as “The Father of Sport Psychology in North America”. He had a focus on the performance of athletes and how psychological factors relate to this. Griffith published a few pieces of work but in the 1930s, his lab was closed down due to a lack of interest and subsequent funding. Despite this, Griffith continued to consult teams and athletes, including the Chicago Cubs baseball team. While his time with this team was said to not have drastically positive results, the owner of the Chicago Cubs could be considered to having played an interesting part in the growth of the field of sport psychology. At the very least, his openness to the field which was still somewhat unique at the time, was indicative of athletes and teams becoming more interested in searching for any factors which could be used as an advantage to combat oppositions. This was an attitude of which soon spread across the nation, particularly as it pertained to the Olympic games… but the USA was not the only nation taking this approach. 

Soon after the Russian revolution, Soviet sport scientists have been said to have been considering psychological benefits of physical activity. Between 1945 and 1957, Soviet sport psychology developed significantly under a Peter Roudik and A.C. Puni. The field has been said to have complimented scientific developments of the time, such as techniques being applied to both Olympic athletes, and cosmonauts within the Soviet space programmes. By 1980, the Soviet Union was said to have had 350,000 employees working within the sport science and development field, be that as coaches, instructors, researchers, or practitioners. This all stemmed from a call for physical training in schools and the opening of institutes focusing on physical cultures and sport, following the implementation of socialist reform. The rapid adoption of sport science and sport psychology would appear to have worked, as they the Soviet Union won 80 gold medals, 69 silver medals, and 46 bronze medals in the 1980 Olympic games. But what was the motive for this uptake in interest and implementation of sport science and sport psychology? It is suggested that the Soviet Union’s interest in developing athletic ability was in part due to the geopolitical tensions of the cold war era. It has been suggested that this was an attempt to demonstrate superiority of the Soviet system on the global stage, through enhanced athletic performance and accomplishment. Naturally, similar approaches and interests for the enhancement of sport performance, science, and subsequently psychology were taken up other countries.

Later Stage Development and Preparation for the Future

In 1965, the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) held their first meeting in Rome, established by Dr Miroslav Vanek. Later in 1968 the European Federation of Sport Psychology (FEPSAC), as well as the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Exercise (NASPSPA) were created. Then in the 1970s, several difference journals were published specifically for sport psychology. The establishment of these groups and journals marked the growth of the field and ultimately led to the recognition of the discipline as a respected field. Eventually, in 1986, the American Psychological Association (APA) recognised sport psychology as its own separate division (Division 47). After that, the British Psychological Society (BPS) published their own sport and exercise psychology review in 2005. Soon enough, professional recognition began to become popularised, starting with the formation of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) in 1984 (now known as the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences or CASES as of April 2025). Professional regulation continued to be developed, which ensured quality control and integrity of practitioners within the field, which may not have been there in previous years. It isn’t uncommon to see individual’s providing services which could be seen as reflecting those provided by sport psychologists, without having gained the appropriate qualifications and experience. The development of regulatory processes for the field and its practitioners ensures that professionals under the title of “Sport and Exercise Psychologist” have undergone the appropriate training and gained the appropriate competence to deliver the role in an effective and ethical manner.  In fact, the title of “Sport and Exercise Psychologist” is a protected title. In order to become an accredited sport and exercise psychologist and use this title, one must be accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). As of 2019, the HCPC fully approved the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR). This meant that candidates who engaged with and completed the SEPAR were able apply to the HCPC and register for Practitioner Psychologist status under the modality of Sport and Exercise Psychologist (BASES, 2019; HCPC, 2019)

Sport and Exercise Psychology Continued Establishment

As time has gone on, recognition of sport and exercise psychology as a respected field has facilitated opportunity for the development of educational and developmental routes. This has helped with accessibility to the field and appropriate certification of its practitioners. 

You may have noticed that a lot of initial references to the field refer nearly entirely to sport psychology and very little to exercise psychology. More recently, there has been a clear distinction between sport and exercise psychology. Sport psychology refers to a focus on competitive sport leaning towards a performance focus, and how psychological factors impact this, and the effects of sport on psychological outcomes. While exercise psychology focuses on the psychological effects of exercise.

In recent times, more athletes and teams utilise sport psychology to enhance their performance and wellbeing. It is becoming more popular, and for good reason. Yet, the field can be seen as a luxury to some due to factors such as funding, stigma, and accessibility for many athletes and teams. 

Conclusion

The history of sport psychology is perhaps more complex and interesting than many may have initially thought (myself included). I feel it does a good job of highlighting how environmental, political, and personal factors can influence the development and growth of ideas, research, and indeed entire disciplines.

As it stands, the future of sport and exercise psychology appears to be bright. This is of course good news for newly starting sport and exercise psychologists in training, through the BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Rout (SEPAR). Which itself is a byproduct of years of development as described above, to ensures a rigorous certification process for practitioners within the field, to ensure the integrity of the field is maintained. 

I don’t know about you, but I am excited to see where the field develops to next. Especially with the knowledge of how much environmental and political factors can effect is direction of development.

References

Aoyagi, M, W., Portenga, S, T., Poczwardowski, A., Cohen, A, B., and Statler, T. (2012) ‘Reflections and Directions: The Profession of Sport Psychology Past, Present, and Future’. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(1), 32-38.

BASES (2019) HCPC approve BASES Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route. Available at: https://www.bases.org.uk/article-hcpc_approve_bases_sport_and_exercise_psychology_accreditation_route__separ___.html(Accessed: 22 January 2025)

BPS (2008) Swifter, higher, stronger: The history of sport psychology. Available at: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/swifter-higher-stronger-history-sport-psychology (Accessed: 15 September 2024). 

HCPC (2019) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route. Available at: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/education/approved-programmes/education-programmes/sport-and-exercise-psychology-accreditation-route/ (Accessed: 22 January 2025).

Joyce, N. and Baker, D.B. (2008) Time Capsule: The early days of sport psychology, Monitor on Psychology. Available at: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/07-08/sport-psych (Accessed: 15 September 2024). 

Omli, Jens. “An international history of sport psychology.” YouTube, uploaded by Jens Omli, 20/08/2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsRuZEBDdXU.

Toth, Matthew. “Sports Psych-Unit 1 Lesson 2-History of Sports Psychology.” YouTube, uploaded by Mr Toth’s History Class, 6th August 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94pXOaV8R0c

Vermillion, Mark. “SMGT 465 Section I: Overview and history of sport psychology.” YouTube, uploaded by Mark, 13/08/2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udlxiQ_WN-8