Competencies and objectives

Provisional information. Pending approval by the School/Faculty Board.

 

Course context for academic year 2025-26

The subject Psychology applied to the Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport is a basic subject within the syllabus. Its main objective is to analyse in depth the complex psychological phenomena related to physical activity and its influence on sporting practice.
This subject covers various topics that deal with the origin of sport psychology, the athlete's personality or emotional factors and their influence on sporting performance. Similarly, we will delve into the basic psychological processes, such as attention and concentration, studying their correlation with the player's performance. As an innovative aspect, we will introduce neuromotricity as a tool to achieve maximum sporting performance, through specific work on the executive functions of the brain.
On the other hand, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive understanding of the sporting phenomenon, we will study the motivational component, as well as the importance of communication and cohesion within teams. In relation to groups and their management, we will pay special attention to the figure of the leader, as a reference within the group and in all its facets.
We will analyse the importance of the athlete's personal wellbeing and mental health, not only in the competitive process, where stress has a direct effect, but also in daily life and even when an injury occurs or the athlete drops out of the competition. To this end, we will focus on the trajectory of great athletes, such as the Spanish Rafa Nadal and his sporting feats, based on a unique and incomparable mental strength.
In addition, this subject will delve into the human behaviour, within the field of sport, of practitioners of all ages, from elite athletes to infants, the elderly or people with special needs.
In this context, the training will focus on the figure of the professional sports psychologist, whose objective is to optimise sporting performance, taking into account human, technical or tactical factors in the area in question. In other words, the training of the coach in his or her educational and sporting profile.
In order to achieve this goal, dynamics and practical activities will be carried out to learn about methodologies, intervention techniques, both individual and collective, and tools for the evaluation and control of the monitoring processes of the subject, both as an athlete and as a person.

 

 

Course content (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees) for academic year 2025-26

Transversal Competences

  • CGUA1 : Foreign language skills.
  • CGUA2 : Computer and information technology skills.
  • CGUA3 : Oral and written communication skills.

 

General Competences

  • CG1.1 : Capacity to identify, list, analyse, synthesise and apply the conceptual content determined by the subjects studied for the Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport degree.
  • CG1.2 : Ability to manage information and knowledge in new and complex situations, problem solving and decision making for the development of instrumental and procedural contents of the subjects of the degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
  • CG2.2 : Use and integration of computer science applied to the field of Physical Activity and Sport Science subjects.

 

Specific Competences

  • AC1.1 : Understand, develop and know how to apply the procedures, strategies, activities, resources, techniques and methods involved in the teaching-learning process efficiently, developing the whole course of action in all sectors of professional intervention in physical activity and sport (formal and informal physical-sports teaching; physical and sports training; physical exercise for health; management of physical activity and sport).
  • AC1.2 : Design and apply the methodological process comprising observation, reflection, analysis, diagnosis, implementation, technical-scientific evaluation and/or dissemination in different contexts and in all sectors of professional intervention in physical activity and sport.
  • AC1.3 : Communicate and interact appropriately and efficiently, in physical activity and sport, in diverse intervention contexts, demonstrating teaching skills in a conscious, natural and continuous way.
  • AC1.4 : Adapt the educational intervention to the individual characteristics and needs of the whole population and with emphasis on special populations such as: schoolchildren, the elderly, people with reduced mobility and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor), taking into account gender and diversity.
  • AC2.1 : Knowing how to guide, design, apply and technico-scientifically assess physical exercise and physical condition at an advanced level, based on scientific evidence, in different areas, contexts and types of activities for the whole population and with emphasis on special populations such as: the elderly, schoolchildren, people with disabilities and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor), taking into account gender and diversity.
  • AC2.2 : Identify, communicate and apply scientific anatomical-physiological and biomechanical criteria at an advanced level of skills in the design, development and technical-scientific evaluation of procedures, strategies, actions, activities and appropriate guidance; to prevent, minimise and/or avoid a health risk in the practice of physical activity and sport in all types of population.
  • AC2.3 : Design and apply with fluency, naturalness, consciously and continuously adequate, efficient, systematic, varied physical exercise and physical condition, based on scientific evidence, for the development of the processes of adaptation and improvement or readaptation of certain capacities of each person in relation to human movement and its optimisation; in order to be able to solve unstructured, increasingly complex and unpredictable problems and with emphasis on special populations.
  • AC2.4 : Articulate and display an advanced level of skill in the analysis, design and evaluation of tests for the assessment and control of physical fitness and physical-sporting performance.
  • AC2.6 : Develop an advanced level in the planning, application, control and evaluation of physical and sports training processes.
  • AC3.1 : Analyse, identify, diagnose, promote, guide and evaluate strategies, actions and activities that encourage the adherence to an active lifestyle and the participation and regular and healthy practice of physical activity and sport and physical exercise in an adequate, efficient and safe way by citizens in order to improve their overall health, well-being and quality of life, with emphasis on special populations such as: elderly people (senior citizens), schoolchildren, people with disabilities and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor), taking into account gender and diversity.
  • AC3.2 : Knowing how to promote, advise, design, apply and technically-scientifically evaluate appropriate and varied physical activity, physical exercise and sport programmes, adapted to the needs, demands and individual and group characteristics of the whole population, with emphasis on the elderly, women and diversity, schoolchildren, people with disabilities and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor).
  • AC3.3 : Articulate and deploy programmes of promotion, guidance, coordination, supervision and technical-scientific evaluation of physical activity, physical exercise and sport for the entire population, with emphasis on populations of a special nature, with the presence of a professional or carried out autonomously by the citizen, in different types of spaces and in any sector of professional intervention of physical activity and sport (formal and informal physical-sports teaching; physical training and sport; physical exercise for health; physical activity and sport management) according to the possibilities and needs of citizens, with the aim of achieving their autonomy, understanding, and greater and adequate practice of physical activity and sport.
  • AC3.4 : Promote education, dissemination, information and constant guidance to individuals and leaders on the benefits, significance, characteristics and positive effects of the regular practice of physical activity and sport and physical exercise, of the risks and harm of inappropriate practice and of the elements and criteria that identify its appropriate execution, as well as information, guidance and advice on the possibilities of appropriate physical activity and sport in their environment in any sector of professional intervention.
  • AC3.5 : Organise the promotion of policies, strategies and educational programmes on aspects of public health, in relation to physical activity and sport (for the prevention of risk factors and diseases); as well as cooperate with other agents involved in the same: in any sector of professional intervention of physical activity and sport.
  • AC4.1 : Fluently develop procedures and protocols to solve unstructured, unpredictable and increasingly complex problems, articulating and deploying a mastery of the elements, methods, processes, activities, resources and techniques that make up the basic motor skills, physical activities, sports skills, play, expressive body and dance activities, and activities in nature in an appropriate, efficient, systematic, varied and methodologically integrated way for the entire population and with emphasis on special populations such as: elderly people (senior citizens), schoolchildren, people with disabilities and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor), taking into account gender and diversity and in any sector of professional intervention in physical activity and sport (formal and informal physical-sports teaching; physical and sports training; physical exercise for health; management of physical activity and sport).
  • AC4.2 : Fluently develop procedures and protocols to solve unstructured, unpredictable and increasingly complex problems, articulating and deploying a mastery of the elements, methods, procedures, activities, resources, techniques and processes of physical fitness and physical exercise in an adequate, efficient, systematic, varied and methodologically integrated way for the whole population and with emphasis on special populations such as: elderly people, schoolchildren, people with disabilities and people with pathologies, health problems or similar (diagnosed and/or prescribed by a doctor), taking into account gender and diversity and in any sector of professional intervention in physical activity and sport.
  • AC4.3 : Develop and implement the technical-scientific evaluation of the elements, methods, procedures, activities, resources and techniques that make up the manifestations of movement and the processes of physical fitness and physical exercise; taking into account the development, characteristics, needs and context of individuals, the different types of population and the spaces where physical activity and sport are carried out; in the various sectors of professional intervention and with emphasis on special populations.
  • AC6.1 : Know and understand the bases of the methodology of scientific work.
  • AC6.2 : Analyse, review and select the effect and effectiveness of the practice of methods, techniques and resources of research and scientific work methodology, in the resolution of problems that require the use of creative and innovative ideas.
  • AC6.4 : Articulate and deploy procedures, processes, protocols, own analysis, with rigour and scientific attitude on matters of social, legal, economic, scientific or ethical nature, when necessary and relevant in any professional sector of physical activity and sport (formal and informal physical and sports education; physical and sports training; physical exercise for health; management of physical activity and sport).
  • AC7.1 : Knowing and knowing how to apply ethical and deontological principles and social justice in professional performance and involvement, as well as having habits of scientific and professional rigour and a constant attitude of service to citizens in the exercise of their professional practice with the aim of improvement, excellence, quality and efficiency.
  • AC7.2 : Know, develop and know how to apply the ethical-deontological, organisational structural, professional performance and regulations of the professional practice of Graduates in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, in any professional sector of physical activity and sport (formal and informal physical and sports education; physical and sports training; physical exercise for health; management of physical activity and sport); as well as being able to develop multidisciplinary work.
  • AC7.3 : Understand, know how to explain and disseminate the functions, responsibilities and importance of a good professional Graduate in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences as well as analyse, understand, identify and reflect critically and autonomously on their identity, training and professional performance to achieve the aims and benefits of physical activity and sport in an appropriate, safe, healthy and efficient way in all physical-sport services offered and provided and in any professional sector of physical activity and sport.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes (Training objectives)

  • Ability to know, understand and analyse the conceptual frameworks of the subject.
  • Knowledge of the fundamentals of human behaviour in general, and in the field of sport and physical activity in particular.
  • Identification and analysis of the behavioural factors that influence physical exercise and sports performance.
  • To know the techniques of behavioural analysis in order to understand behaviour in the field of physical activity and sport.
  • To know how to use the basic techniques and instruments for recording and measuring behaviour in the field of physical activity and sport.
  • Understand the aspects that influence behaviour in exercise and sporting situations.
  • Know the areas of application of psychology in the field of sport.
  • To value the importance of psychological factors in the applied field of physical activity and sport.
  • Promote the scientific style as a way of dealing with the explanation of behaviour.
  • Know the methods and techniques of research and information gathering corresponding to this discipline.

 

 

Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2025-26

1. To know the origin and history of sport psychology.
2. Analyse personality traits and how they affect sporting performance.
3. To delve into emotional and social factors and their influence on sporting performance.
4. To know the psychological theories on motivation and its orientation towards physical activity.
5. To gain an in-depth knowledge of the psychological processes that influence physical activity and sport.
6. To learn about group roles and dynamics in order to improve cohesion and communication.
7. Acquire intervention techniques for the training of psychological skills, behaviour modification and the improvement of sporting performance.
8. To introduce neuromotricity as a method to improve the performance of the sportsperson.
9. To deepen the profile of the sports psychologist in the field of coaching.
10. To learn about diagnostic techniques, psychological intervention and assessment in the field of sport.
11. Design programmes and interventions adapted to different contexts and populations.
12. Analyse and interpret data from research, reports and works in sport psychology. work in sport psychology.
13. To know the effects of sport practice on health.



 

 

General

Code: 16601
Lecturer responsible:
Andreu Cabrera, Eliseo
Credits ECTS: 6,00
Theoretical credits: 0,60
Practical credits: 1,80
Distance-base hours: 3,60

Departments involved

  • Dept: PSYCHOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND DIDACTICS
    Area: EVOLUTION AND EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY
    Theoretical credits: 0,6
    Practical credits: 1,8
    This Dept. is responsible for the course.
    This Dept. is responsible for the final mark record.

Study programmes where this course is taught