Sport Psychology Research Articles

Personality traits and sporting level of athletes

Background and Study Aim. Personality traits significantly influence athletic performance and the development of athletes. However, these traits vary at different levels of sport. This knowledge gap makes it difficult to effectively tailor training and support programs. Thus, the purpose of this article is to identify differences in the expression of personality traits among professional athletes, competitive athletes, and amateur athletes. Material and Methods. The respondents (N=83) were sport seniors from Poland, aged 23 years, studying at the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences. They were classified into three groups: 1) n=23 professional athletes; 2) n=30 competitive athletes; and 3) n=30 amateur athletes. The Big Five model was used, and the NEO-FFI personality questionnaire was administered. Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, with a statistical significance level set at α = 0.05. Results. Differences in neuroticism intensity among athletes from different sport levels were noted. Professional athletes showed the lowest level of neuroticism. However, no differences were observed in the intensity of individual personality traits among athletes by gender. Furthermore, correlations were noted between sport level and athletes’ personality traits: neuroticism (strong and negative), extraversion (weak and positive), and conscientiousness (weak and positive). Conclusions. Findings underscore the importance of considering personality traits when developing tailored training and support programs for athletes. The absence of gender differences in personality traits suggests that such programs can be designed without gender-specific adjustments. The identified correlations between sport level and personality traits provide valuable insights for coaches and sport psychologists to better understand and support athletes' psychological profiles.

International society of sport psychology position stand: elite athlete mental health revisited

ABSTRACT Athlete mental health, though long present within research and practice, has recently become a central topic area within the sport and exercise psychology field. The International Society of Sport Psychology has been at the forefront of these discussions, evidenced by a foundational position stand in 2018 and subsequent consensus statements derived from international think tanks. Within this position stand, contributors from the international community spanning five continents collaborated to present key, updated ideas and emerging concepts relating to clinical understandings of athlete mental health, trends in athlete mental health status, the role of the sport environment, mental health in relation to athlete careers, the global treatment of athlete mental health, cultural considerations in relation to understanding this topic, and nine synthesising postulates.

Mental Visualization in science learning and teaching: incomes from sport psychology

Mental Visualization in science learning and teaching: incomes from sport psychology

The relationship between physical exercise and problematic internet use in college students: the chain-mediated role of self-control and loneliness

ObjectiveFrom the perspective of exercise psychology, to investigate the antefacts of problematic internet use (PIU) in college students, and to reveal the chain mediating effect of self-control and loneliness between physical exercise and PIU.Methods1081 college students in Chongqing, China were investigated by Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Self-control Scale (SCS), Loneliness Scale (UCLA), and Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS-R), and the data were statistically analyzed by SPSS25.0 and AMOS21.0 software.Results(1) There was a significant negative correlation between physical exercise and PIU, and the former has a direct negative predictive effect on the latter. (2) Physical exercise could indirectly influence the PIU of college students through the partial mediating effect of self-control and loneliness, respectively. (3) Physical exercise could also indirectly influence PIU through the chain mediation of “self-control → loneliness”.ConclusionMaintaining regular physical exercise can promote the improvement of self-control and the weakening of the loneliness experience of college students, and then help to prevent or alleviate PIU behavior, which is of great significance for psychological and behavioral health.

Gender Differences in Physical Performance and Psychological Assessment Among Cuban National Athletics Team

Introduction: Elite sports pose potential health risks, but are vital to the well-being of society. In Cuban society, sport is an integral part of personal development and public health, fostering unity and promoting female participation for sustainable growth. Athletics is one of the most important sports in Cuban sport, and should be approached both from the point of view of sports training and sports psychology. Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide a description of conditional variables in a countermovement jump (CMJ), mood profile, self-efficacy, and the leg-hip height index among athletes from the Cuban national athletics pre-selection team, differentiated by gender. Methods: Our sample consisted of the Cuban national athletics pre-selection team. Results: Mood profile analysis using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) did not reveal significant gender differences, with a small effect size for gender. Men showed a slightly greater trend towards vigor compared to women. Significant differences in self-efficacy were observed between men and women in their confidence levels to achieve jump heights between 21 and 40 cm using the CMJ. However, no significant differences were found for jumps exceeding 40 cm, highlighting the importance of strategies to enhance athletes’ psychological needs and self-efficacy. Conclusions: This study suggests that the association between tension-related anxiety and performance indicators related to jump height may play a crucial role in determining specific profiles in male and female Cuban athletes. Our comprehensive analysis contributes to understanding gender differences in performance factors. These findings provide valuable insights for future research and athlete development strategies.

Emotional Intelligence and Sports: How Is the Emotional Intelligence Theory Viewed in Sports Psychology?

Emotional Intelligence and Sports: How Is the Emotional Intelligence Theory Viewed in Sports Psychology?

Exploring Coach-Athlete Relationships in University Basketball and Their Influence on Athlete Growth and Success Towards Building Champions

In order to study the relationship between coaches and players in college basketball and its impact on the growth and success of athletes, this paper investigated all the players of the basketball team of Yulin University. The interviewed athletes identified the relationship between their coach and athlete relationship and athlete growth and success. In this study, a combination of face-to-face survey and quantitative analysis was used to collect and compare data. There are 34 basketball players in the school, all of them selected as the study sample. The results are as follows: 1). Based from the findings of the study, the researcher came up with the following conclusions: 2). Majority of the athletes are male of not more than twenty-two years of age from level 1 and have been playing basketball for few years. 3). The dynamic and interpersonal connection between the coach and the basketball athletes is highly evident among the teams. 4). Basketball athletes have relatively the same perceptions on the coach-athlete relationships regardless of their sex, age, year level, and years of basketball experience.5). The growth and success of the basketball athletes is highly influenced by the coaching and the athletes’ experiences in the field of basketball sports. 6). Athletes have relatively the same assessment on their growth and success regardless of their sex, age, year level, and years of experience in basketball. 7). The growth and success of the basketball athletes is highly influenced by how the coaches and the athletes are being connected which involves communication, trust, mutual respect, and the exchange of feedback. This paper provides valuable insights and evidence-based strategies for both coaches and athletes to refine their techniques and ultimately improve athlete performance and personal growth. The research can enhance the ability of coaches, inspire athletes, provide information for managers, and promote the research of sports psychology, and ultimately promote the overall growth and success of college basketball players.

Empowering Women Through Sport: Developing for Competition and Life

Development through sport has a long and varied history in sport psychology. Unfortunately, there appears to be an under-representation of females in sport psychology research, both generally and in this important area. Thus, it is fair to assume that female athletes are likely receiving coaching, guidance, and psychological strategies focused on their development, but informed by evidence based primarily on males. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to introduce that females need their own specific research to best help them build empowering psychological characteristics. Reflecting the comparatively small numbers who make it to the top, such systems must not only help them in their sport, but also help them succeed in life. Indeed, we propose that the development of the necessary psychological characteristics could help females face the equality challenges they face in sport and in future leadership roles. Furthermore, that there needs to be a shift in focus when it comes to sport, and female athletes should not only be developed for their sport but also from their sport.

From Barcelona to Tokyo: Counseling a High-Performance Center Through the Disruption Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic and the Postponed Games

As part of a growing line of interventions, sports psychology practitioners focus on supporting organizations and their members to better cope with the demands of career transitions. The aim of this article is to share our experience of counseling a High-Performance Center through two concurrent non-normative transitions: the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption to the Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Games. We report our reflections on what it means to consult for an organization rather than for individuals, and what adaptation to a period of constantly changing circumstances means in and for an organization. We also describe the lessons learned and share our evaluation of strengths and points of improvement for future interventions.

Identifying the Characteristics of a Sport Psychologist Competencies: Athletes' and Consultants' Perspective

Background: In the process of psychological programs as a specialized stream, the psychologists should know their clients better and finally find the right solution to solve the problem Methods: The research method was mixed. In the qualitative, content analysis method was used and in the quantitative section, structural equation model was used. First, 11 interviews were conducted with experts in the field of sports psychology. In the latter stage, the number of samples was 108 (including 44 sports psychologists and 64 national team athletes). Qualitative and quantitative methods of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation analysis were used for data analysis using PLS Smart 3.2 software. Results: Results indicated that the extracted categories in qualitative part of the study included personality traits, consulting skills, knowledge and expertise, professional ethics, sports knowledge, and cognitive ability. The exploratory factor analysis showed that communication skills component was replaced with the knowledge and expertise. Conclusions: According to the results, both sports consultants and athletes believed that characteristics and abilities of a good psychologist include consulting skills, personality traits, communication skills, cognitive skills, and professional ethics. However, regarding the variable of sports knowledge, the athletes emphasized this factor more and believed that an effective sports psychologist should have the necessary sports knowledge in the field.

“Are you here for performance or are you here for well-being?” Using participatory research to promote thriving in a British Olympic sport organization

To support the growing calls to safeguard athlete health and well-being in the pursuit of sporting success, empirical research into thriving may offer practitioners potential mechanisms to promote both outcomes simultaneously. Yet, given that elite sport environments are increasingly characterized as complex and volatile, applying theoretical knowledge is often not straightforward. In this novel study we aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by partnering with a sport psychologist to explore their experiences of promoting thriving within an Olympic sport organization. Using a participatory research approach in a typically inaccessible context, we sought to support the specific needs of the practitioner through a form of collaborative inquiry. Together, over a 9-month period, we navigated the complexities of translating knowledge into practice and present novel insights into the realities of effectively creating systems-level change. Namely, the need for practitioners to deftly negotiate complex interpersonal relationships and organizational cultures, and to democratize responsibility for psychological change to wider stakeholders. Regarding thriving, we demonstrate that the promotion of thriving requires an in-depth understanding of the athletic environment and organizational systems. Further, an array of athlete perspectives is needed when determining what contributes to and constitutes a thriving experience. Through our collaboration with an applied practitioner, this study makes a significant contribution toward bridging the gap between theory and practice. In doing so, we draw attention to the complex and challenging scenarios practitioners face when promoting change at an environmental level within elite sport organizations.

SYNERGY OF PHYSIOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY AND TACTICS: KEY TO SUCCESS IN HANDBALL

This article highlights the unique experience of the development of handball in Australia. The study focuses on the participation of the Sydney Uni Handball Club team in the “Europe Tour 2024”, which is an important step towards international recognition and exchange of experience with leading European clubs. The purpose of the study is to assess the relationship between physiological training, psychological stability, tactical flexibility and their contribution to the sports performance of the team. The object of study is the process of training in handball at the professional level. The subject of the study is the physiological aspects of training in the context of the specifics of the training process in handball. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological sources on the topic of the research, pedagogical observations. Research results. The authors analyze key aspects that influence team performance, including adaptation to new conditions, tactical flexibility, fatigue and recovery management, and the effectiveness of finishing attacks. Particular attention is paid to the impact of jet lag on the physical and cognitive functionality of the athletes, emphasizing the need to develop strategies to adapt to flights and time zone changes. The proposed measures are aimed at minimizing the negative impact of jet lag and increasing the competitiveness of the athletes at international competitions. The study highlights the role of tactical flexibility and cognitive adaptation in dynamic gaming environments. Attention is focused on how important it is for the athletes and the coaching staffs not only to develop a variety of tactical plans, but also the ability to reassess quickly the game situation and adapt to the strategies of the opponents in real time. This requires players not only to have a high level of physical fitness, but also to developed cognitive abilities such as attention, concentration under stress, pressure and uncertainty. Conclusions. Success in international competitions requires not only a high level of technical, tactical and physical preparation, but also the development of effective recovery strategies, adaptation to various competition conditions and psychophysiological stress management. The study contributes to the understanding of how little-known sports can develop and achieve significant success on the international stage, highlighting the importance of intercultural and sporting exchange in the globalized world. Thus, to achieve optimal results, teams need to implement training programs that stimulate the development of both physical and mental qualities of the athletes, preparing them for the high demands of competitive activity. The results of the study are of interest not only to specialists in the field of sports science, but also to coaches, sports psychologists and managers involved in the development of handball and other sports in conditions of limited popularity and resources.

Coaches Behaviour Towards Motivational Climate and Performance Satisfaction of College Volleyball Players in Guangdong China

Coaches plays a significant role on how an athlete behave, perform and act. Each coach utilizes different method and approach in coaching which describe their coaching behaviour. Coaching behavior represents the personal characteristics and attitudes of the coaches. The impact of coaching behaviour has been an extensive topic of study in sports psychology where continuous arguments on how coaching behaviour affects motivational climate and performance of the athletes. Therefore, the researcher in this study deemed to bridge the knowledge gap through identifying the impact of coaching behaviour, motivational climate and performance satisfaction of the climate and performance satisfaction of college volleyball players in Guangdong, China. In conducting the study, the researcher employed descriptive correlational design. Two hundred collegiate volleyball players in selected universities in Guangdong, Chine were selected through stratified simple random sampling technique as respondents of the study. Validated self-made questionnaire was used as the main instrument of the study in describing coaching behaviour of the team coaches in terms of action, belief and attitude, motivational climate in terms of task/mastery and ego-oriented climate and performance satisfaction in terms of individual, team and coach’s performance. The data was analyzed through the use of Pearson r. The result of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the coaching and the motivational climate within the team as perceived by the respondents. Furthermore, coaching behaviour is significantly related to performance satisfaction in terms of individual, team and coach’s performance. Finally, the study formulated a proposed program of action to better enhance the coaching behaviour of the volleyball team coaches.

Journeying into postqualitative inquiry: an exploration of the opportunities and tensions for graduate students in sport and exercise psychology

ABSTRACT Postqualitative inquiry (PQI) has emerged in recent years as a potential-filled approach to inquiry for researchers seeking to move beyond humanist paradigms such as postpositivism and interpretivism. PQI offers researchers exciting opportunities to shift from method-focused scholarship to theory-focused scholarship, amongst other moves. As a graduate student conducting research in sport and exercise psychology (SEP), PQI caught my (i.e., first author) attention and drew me into the dynamic whirlwind of immanence, materiality, and relationality. In the present commentary paper, the purpose is to explore the opportunities and tensions of PQI for SEP graduate students. Specifically, I do so by sharing my experiences engaging with PQI in attempts to help other SEP graduate students navigate their PQI journeys. The paper first situates what PQI is/is not and what it does, followed by some of the opportunities related to engaging in PQI, which include stimulating intellectual openness, working towards social justice, and addressing methodological critiques. Despite these opportunities, some tensions do exist, such as the labours of reading hard, onto-epistemological juggling, and the rush to application. In grappling with these opportunities and tensions, recommendations are offered to SEP graduate students who do decide to journey into PQI. These recommendations consist of reframing the return on investment as rhizomatic, remaining aware of the exclusionary effects of labelling PQI, and understanding the ramifications of a decentred human in SEP research. Concluding thoughts are offered in the form of reflections from both the first and second authors.

NCAA coaches’ perceptions of the inclusion of transgender athletes: a qualitative analysis

ABSTRACT The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) established policies for the inclusion of transgender athletes to compete in collegiate sport that align with their gender identity. Despite this access, the extent to which collegiate sport environments are welcoming, inclusive and supportive of transgender athletes is unclear. Understanding coaches’ perceptions and attitudes is particularly salient given the critical, and often personal, nature of coach–athlete relationships and the impact coaches have on sport environments [Kuhlin, F., Barker-Ruchti, N., & Stewart, C. (2020). Long-term impact of the coach–athlete relationship on development, health and wellbeing: stories from a figure skater. Sports Coaching Review, 9(2), 208–230; Stirling, A. E., & Kerr, G. A. (2013). The perceived effects of elite athletes’ experiences of emotional abuse in the coach–athlete relationship. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11(1), 87–100]. NCAA coaches’ perceptions of, and attitudes towards the inclusion of transgender athletes is unknown, and thus the degree to which coaches are creating safe, or harmful, environments for transgender athletes is unknown. The present study aims investigate coaches’ perceptions to be able to inform policy and education for promoting inclusive, safe environments for transgender athletes. We asked NCAA coaches (N = 1358) to describe the reasoning for their beliefs regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes in collegiate sports. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we determined coaches’ reasoning for their perceptions, within the context of five higher-order themes: (a) It’s not right: Transgender identities as invalid, (b) A need to protect (cis) women’s sports, (c) Transgender rights are human rights, (d) Sport’s role in society and coaches’ role in sport and (e) I am not sure what I believe. Analyses illuminate avenues for transgender athlete inclusion training for coaches.

50 Years of Research on the Psychology of Sport Injury: A Consensus Statement

Factors influencing sport injury risk, rehabilitation outcomes, and return to sport processes have been the focus in various research disciplines (sports medicine, psychology and sociology). One discipline, with over 50 years of scholarship, is the psychology of sport injury. Despite the research in this field, there is no evidence-based consensus to inform professional practice. The aim of this original and timely consensus statement is to summarise psychological sport injury research and provide consensus recommendations for sport practitioners seeking to implement psychological principles into clinical practice. A total of seven experts with extensive experience outlined the consensus objectives and identified three psychology of sport injury sub-domains: risk, rehabilitation and return to sport. The researchers, grouped in pairs, prepared initial drafts of assigned sub-domains. The group met in Stockholm, and the three texts were merged into a draft and revised in an iterative process. Stress responses are the strongest psychological risk factor for acute injuries. Intra- and interpersonal factors, as well as sociocultural factors, are demonstrated psychosocial risk factors for overuse injuries. Stress management and mindfulness interventions to prevent injuries have been successfully implemented. The rehabilitation process may influence athlete’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural responses. Social support, mindfulness, acceptance-based practices, and cognitive-behavioural based intervention programs reduce negative reactions. Return to sport includes various stages and different trajectories. Returning athletes typically experience concerns regarding competence, autonomy, and relatedness. It is recommended that athletes focus on the physical, technical, and psychological demands of their sport as they progress to increasingly intense activities. Interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., sports medicine and psychology) would be beneficial in enhancing clinical practice and improving athlete outcomes.

Competition and Digital Game Design: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Abstract Although competition is a common feature of digital games, nuances of when and why aspects of competition influence players' motivation and well-being have been surprisingly underexplored, especially through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). In this critical review, we: (1) describe how a mini-theory of SDT, cognitive evaluation theory (CET), can help predict when and why aspects of competition will alternatively satisfy or frustrate basic psychological needs in digital games with downstream effects on players' motivation and well-being; (2) apply the Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX) model to outline ways competition in digital games can influence motivation and well-being at multiple levels; and (3) prioritize future research directions. Finally, we argue that digital games, given their diversity, adaptability and massive reach, represent an especially powerful context for studying competition, motivation and well-being. Research Highlights This critical review integrates self-determination theory (SDT)-guided models and research related to HCI, sports psychology and well-being supportive design to advance understanding of competition in digital games. Introduces a new taxonomy of competition relevant to SDT and digital games, including macro-level categories, general elements and specific features. Presents a competition and digital gaming specific cognitive evaluation theory (CET) model linking different aspects of competition in digital games to basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, motivation, health and well-being. Applying the METUX model, we map out ways researchers and game makers can think about aspects of competition in digital games at multiple levels or spheres of influence. Prioritizes future directions for research, specifically related to experimentally manipulating digital feedback and digital representations of self and others in digital games.

Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection-unpacking oxytocin's contributions in a sport context.

This systematic review investigates the interplay between oxytocin and exercise; in terms of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative, and cardioprotective effects. Furthermore, by analyzing measurement methods, we aim to improve measurement validity and reliability. Utilizing PRISMA, GRADE, and MECIR protocols, we examined five databases with a modified SPIDER search. Including studies on healthy participants, published within the last 20years, based on keywords "oxytocin," "exercise" and "measurement," 690 studies were retrieved initially (455 unique records). After excluding studies of clinically identifiable diseases, and unpublished and reproduction-focused studies, 175 studies qualified for the narrative cross-thematic and structural analysis. The analysis resulted in five categories showing the reciprocal impact of oxytocin and exercise: Exercise (50), Physiology (63), Environment (27), Social Context (65), and Stress (49). Exercise-induced oxytocin could promote tissue regeneration, with 32 studies showing its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, while 14 studies discussed memory and cognition. Furthermore, empathy-associated OXTR rs53576 polymorphism might influence team sports performance. Since dietary habits and substance abuse can impact oxytocin secretion too, combining self-report tests and repeated salivary measurements may help achieve precision. Oxytocin's effect on fear extinction and social cognition might generate strategies for mental training, and technical, and tactical development in sports. Exercise-induced oxytocin can affect the amount of stress experienced by athletes, and their response to it. However, oxytocin levels could depend on the type of sport in means of contact level, exercise intensity, and duration. The influence of oxytocin on athletes' performance and recovery could have been exploited due to its short half-life. Examining oxytocin's complex interactions with exercise paves the way for future research and application in sports science, psychology, and medical disciplines. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=512184, identifier CRD42024512184.

Successful sport psychology within 1st team football: Perceptions of senior strategic stakeholders at elite football clubs

This study focussed on the perceptions of senior strategic stakeholders (e.g, sporting director, head of performance, manager, coach) working within 1st team football at elite professional clubs (English Premier League & Championship). Although recent research has made progress within the practitioner professional development literature it has, so far, failed to gain an explicit understanding of the perceptions around ‘successful sport psychology’ or what makes a sport psychologist successful - in their respective sporting environments. Therefore, the main purpose of this research was to gain an explicit insight into what senior strategic stakeholders perceived makes a sport psychologist successful within their role at an elite football club, at 1st team level. Following institutional ethical approval, purposeful sampling was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five senior strategic stakeholders. Following data collection, a thematic analysis was conducted and 19 general dimensions were arranged across three phases: (a) knowledge and experiences of sport psychology in elite football, (b) explicit understanding of sport psychology success in elite football and (c) perceived barriers and challenges to sport psychology in an elite football club. In particular, senior strategic stakeholders’ explicit understanding of sport psychology success in elite football included 7 general dimensions: (1) importance of role clarity during induction into new role, (2) success viewed as subjective due to difficulty quantifying influence of work, (3) success perceived as best judged by individuals worked with most closely, (4) preference for club appointed full time sport psychologist, (5) implementation of balanced approach perceived as successful, (6) implementation of forceful approach perceived as unsuccessful and (7) success attributed to positive influence on culture and player performances. Thus, it’s recommended that sport psychologists aspiring to work in applied football contexts should consider the findings of this research to positively influence their entry and/or practice in an elite football environment, at 1st team level. Similarly, it’s equally recommended that senior strategic stakeholders within elite football clubs use these findings to help develop their knowledge and understanding of sport psychology so they’re better informed and aware of the perceived key attributes of successful sport psychology provision within 1st team football. Consequently, this may assist with navigating the diversity of challenges perceived to be associated to the presence of a sport psychologist, within an elite 1st team football environment, and therefore increase and improve utilisation of sport psychology services across players, coaches, and wider footballing staff.

Exploring British student-athletes' receptivity to sport psychology consultation

Student-athlete's receptivity to sport psychology (SP) is a significant contributor to effective SP service delivery. Previous studies among American student-athletes suggests that stigma and negative beliefs, which affect receptivity, remain significant barriers to seeking SP support. However, there is a paucity of research focusing on the British student-athlete population. The aim of this study was to explore how demographic factors affect British student-athletes' receptivity to SP consultation. Following institutional ethics approval, student-athletes (n = 96, 48 males and 48 females) completed a series of demographic questions and the Sport Psychology Attitudes Revised Form (SPAR-R) (25 items answered on a seven-point Likert scale). The survey measured stigma tolerance (Cronbach’s alphas (α) = 0.821), confidence in SP consultation (α = 0.882), personal openness (α = 0.462) and cultural preference (α = 0.534). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANCOVA) was used to examine the relationship between demographic constructs and the SPAR-R responses. Compared to females, males reported significantly higher scores in personal openness (P = 0.44, P < 0.05, mean difference [MD]: 0.54), and cultural preference (P = 0.01, P < 0.05, MD: 0.54). Compared to athletes who compete in a team sport, individual athletes reported significantly higher scores of confidence in SP consultation (P = 0.013, P < 0.05, MD: 0.7). There were no influences of age and level of sporting competition on confidence in SP and cultural preference, respectively (P > 0.05). The results suggest that males and athletes who compete in a team sport may be less receptive towards SP consultation than females and athletes who compete in an individual sport. These results are similar to those found within an American student-athlete population yet provide applied SP practitioners with novel insights into working with British student-athletes. Future research should focus on student-athletes from various ethnic backgrounds and further expand methodological approaches to understanding why demographic factors affect receptivity to SP consultation. In conclusion, these results could inform and encourage practitioners to adopt a tailored approach when providing SP consultation to persons possessing different demographic characteristics.