New Methodological, Intervention and Neuroscientific Perspectives in Sports Psychology

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Background

Within the discipline of sport psychology, considerable work involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions to improve the world of sport. The importance of theory as a basis for such intervention efforts has been strongly emphasized. In recent years, research has shown that there are three factors on which to base future developments: methodological innovations (e.g. Mixed Methods), new intervention approaches (e.g. Empowering/Disempowering Climates) and advances in neuroscience (e.g. inhibitory circuits).

Regarding methodological innovations, the importance of mixed methods in this field is highlighted by their profound significance. Indeed, procedural innovations with direct and indirect observational data has allowed the observational methodology to be considered as a mixed method in itself. This approach has been implemented in recent years in many publications relating to various sports. Other methodological advances involve the evolution of structural equation analysis. For example, the increasing use of invariance analysis, mediation analysis, PLS software (which allows non-normal samples), multilevel analysis, generalizability analysis and the graphical evolution of data with programs such as Neo4j.

Regarding interventions, motivation (i.e. reason for participating) is a key factor influencing the behaviors, cognitions and feelings of those participating in sport. A powerful social psychological determinant of motivation variability is the "climate of motivation" created by other important people within the environment (e.g., the coach). Not surprisingly, motivation and the motivational climate are two of the most studied topics within sports psychology.

One of the current topics in neuroscience focuses on the role of the inhibition in cognition, including cognitive-related aspects in sport. Inhibition may refer to:

• A behavioral inhibitory response, encompassed with executive functions, characterized by the correct containment of a behavior;
• A nervous-cell property, neuronal inhibition, by which neurons coordinate network functioning (including functional connectivity in local and brain-wide circuits, underlying cognitive functions).

Both aspects of inhibition are relevant, and this Research Topic would like to include both and focus on their relationship with sport. Behavioral inhibitory response is related to self-paced endurance when running, mental fatigue in sport, fencer’s performance, among others. To our knowledge there is not a review of this topic that links it specifically with sport. Further, neuronal inhibition is at the base of almost all (if not all) functional brain processes, including those underlying sport since it controls neuronal coordination. Neuronal inhibition has been related to motor learning in humans and mice, motor skills, and more. Both inhibitory concepts are related, given that (at least in motor cortex) neuronal inhibition mediates response inhibition. However, to our knowledge there remains a dearth of systematic studies on how both may be integrated in sport sciences.

The objective of this Research Topic is therefore to publish studies whose substantive and methodological approaches include, as a central element, aspects related to new methodological, intervention and neuroscientific perspectives in sports psychology. As this theme has broad implications in different areas of knowledge, a wide range of studies that consider various methodologies, interventions, analyses, variables, materials and populations are welcome. Articles must contain a conceptual, methodological or subject-related contribution. We particularly welcome the following themes:

• Methodological contributions in sport psychology;
• Impact of intervention programs in sport psychology;
• Relationship between sport practice and cognitive functioning;
• Relationship between neuroscience and motor skills.



Dr. Antonio Hernandez Mendo holds 19 patents related to the Research Topic theme (psychosocial evaluation and software), some of which have been licensed. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests.

Keywords: Sport Psychology, Methodology, Mixed Methods, Intervention, Neurosciences

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