Psychology and Sports Information Course

A Message from the Course Chair 

Professor Eiichi Yubune, M.Phil (Education)

Enhancing expertise in psychology (Certified Public Psychologist, etc.), psychology and sports (Mental Training Instructor, etc.) and sports (NSCA, etc.) and blending this expertise with IT

The Psychology and Sports Information Course seeks to give students knowledge in the area of psychology on such topics as clinical psychology, psychological assessment and neuropsychology/physiological psychology so they will have the expertise needed to become certified as a Certified Public Psychologist, and knowledge in the area of sports on such topics as exercise science and sports dynamics as well as skills in such matters as sports behavioral psychometrics so they will have the expertise needed to qualify for the highly-regarded CPT or CSCS international licenses (from NSCA). In the area of athletes support, students will learn about mental training based on psychological theory as well as conditioning and training methods based on exercise science. Notable features of this course are the availability of a broad range of subjects within the field of psychology and a robust learning environment for students looking to acquire theoretical knowledge and techniques for counseling and other psychological support.

By gaining experience in measuring and analyzing psychological and biological data on athletes as well as system construction for data management and feedback, students can deepen their understanding of methods to utilize information and communications technology (ICT) in sports.

Students interested in this course should strive to acquire knowledge and skills in the areas they personally find interesting as well as obtain professional qualifications with the aim of becoming specialists in the domains of psychology, sports and data mining.

Obtaining psychology qualifications and combining knowledge of psychology with cutting-edge information technology to become an expert in psychological support

The Psychology and Sports Information Course focuses on education designed to train psychology professionals. Students will be exposed to a broad range of psychology topics, not only mental training for athletes but also counseling (clinical psychology), color therapy (color psychology), behavioral analysis (behavioral psychology), mental health (health psychology) and visual illusions (cognitive psychology) so that students can decide on a topic for their graduation work. Students will be prepared to take on more advanced research by learning the fundamentals and practical applications of psychology and combining this knowledge with computer-based techniques for measuring and analyzing psychological data.

We particularly recommend that students wishing to be certified as a sports mental training instructor or to obtain psychology qualifications prioritize psychology-related classes. During their four years of university study, students can complete the courses needed to acquire professional qualifications as well as gain knowledge and skills that can be put to use in their post-graduation careers. The Psychology and Sports Information Course offers an attractive learning environment for students interested in psychology and those hoping to undertake psychology-related work in future.

Obtaining personal trainer qualifications and employing effective training techniques based on exercise science

The role of personal trainers is to improve the performance and health of athletes and clients by accurately assessing their physical strength and prescribing suitable training. Knowledge of exercise physiology and anatomy as well as skill in utilizing that knowledge in training are essential for performing that role.

The Psychology and Sports Information Course offers classes that give students the knowledge and skill needed to obtain a personal trainer qualification (NSCA-CPT: Certified Personal Trainer) under the supervision of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), an international organization that promotes strength and conditioning education. Students wishing to find sports-related work or become involved in supporting athletes would be strongly advised to take sports-related classes to prepare themselves for high-level certification. Course subjects have also been designed to help students qualify as experts in strength and conditioning training for athletes (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists, or CSCS).

Utilizing psychological/biological data to assist athletes

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games (postponed until 2021) have sparked more attention and interest in sports than ever in Japan. Some of you no doubt are thinking that you would like to become involved in the sports movement either as an athlete or in a support role for competitions/athletes.

There are a number of ways of providing support, among them proposing strategies and tactics for winning matches, formulating ideas for training that improves performance, and developing sports apparatus/equipment. Students in the Psychology and Sports Information Course work to acquire the skills needed to suitably collect, analyze and utilize data to provide such athletes with support. Accordingly, we have prepared a broad range of content to help students learn to measure and analyze psychological/biological data and better understand sports culture/education.

Acquiring data analyst skills

After learning the theory and methods of measuring psychological/biological data, students will engage in statistical analysis and data mining to analyze these data. In the process, students will acquire the ability to employ information in useful ways to real-life applications. The data measurement/analysis methods taught in the Psychology and Sports Information Course will broadly extend even beyond this to cover such topics as the measurement and analysis of athletes’ movements based on engineering methods.

A key feature of studying in the Psychology and Sports Information Course is the opportunity to learn practical data measurement/analysis techniques useful for sports-related applications. Students will be able to choose their own specific paths, determining from a broad range of topics the aspects of sports best suited to their own areas of interest and approaches to doing research in these areas.

Analysis of body motion and motion characteristics

Building on a foundation of engineering theory/techniques, students will conduct motion analyses of players during sporting events and dissect motion characteristics for each sport. Students will gain practical skills and experience in measuring/analyzing sports motion using high-speed cameras, motion capture, GPS, etc., and then derive ideal forms and efficient movements by examining athletes’ form and motion.

Sports comprise a triad of participants, spectators and supporters

Study in this Course will develop students’ abilities as sports “support personnel” who will actively take on support roles in society.

Psychology and Sports Information Course

The Psychology and Sports Information Course offers an educational curriculum developed in line with the following policies:
(1) Enable students to acquire the abilities needed to become a personal trainer and to provide mental training, and have the option of learning techniques for sports data analysis.
(2) Provide education that fosters students’ ability to utilize ICT in measuring/analyzing physical exercise with sports apparatus/equipment and players’ movement during games to be able to understand and explain these scientifically.
(3) Teach psychology as well as techniques for utilizing information technology not only in psychological testing and counseling but also in IT counseling and mental training.

*For students admitted in Academic Year 2021

 *The curriculum is subject to change.

Sample Subjects

Theory of Behavioral Sport Psychometrics

Students will learn the methods needed to boost sports performance by studying practice-based theory in preparation for employment as a trainer or at sports-related companies.

Behavioral Sport Psychology

Students will study mental training theory and knowledge grounded in psychology in order to acquire the skills needed to help athletes realize their full potential.

Sports Biomechanics

Students will learn such concepts as dynamics, work and energy that serve as the foundations for understanding movement in sports, i.e., the movement of athletes and apparatus/equipment. The figure illustrates how the flow of water differs when passing open fingers and closed fingers.

Exercise Training Techniques and Instruction

Students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to implement, guide and assist in muscle, aerobic and other types of training through the use of various instruments.

Survey of Clinical Psychology

Students will primarily focus on content relating to clinical psychology to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for psychological support, including client assessment and counseling. The photo below shows one type of psychological therapy known as “box garden therapy.”

Social/Group/Family Psychology

Students will learn methods for analyzing and examining from a psychological perspective the impacts that connections with other people – society, groups and families – have on individuals as well as people’s attitudes and behaviors in interpersonal relations and in groups.