93212 - Movement and Sport Psychology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the cours the student:

-knows the various methods for the measurement of motor behavior and the evaluation of motor skills

-Knows the most fundamental theories related to the cognitive aspects of motor control (e.g. perceptual elaboration, attentional selection, information theory principles)

-Is familiar with models of motor learning, in particular with relation to the learning and retention of motor skills involved in sports and motor rehabilitation.

-Is familiar with recent developments in technology for measurement of behavior and stimulation (e.g. VR, for sports training and motor re-abilitation). 

Course contents

The fundamental aim of the course is to show to the student the role of the cognitive psychologist in the study of motor control, integrating and deepening their knowledge in this field. This should allow the student to appreciate the role that the cognitive psychologist can have when approaching sport. 

These will be the topics we will touch:

1-Historical context of the study of motor control

2-Research methods

3-Interaction between sensation, perception and motor control

4-Central processes

5-Speed and accuracy

6-Coordination

7-Application of cognitive theories of motor control to sports

8-Digital techniques in the training of sports vision

9-New developments and perspectives in the application of neuroscientific techniques to sports. 

Readings/Bibliography

For the general theory part: selection of chapters from Schmidt, Lee, Winstein, Wulf, Zelaznik: Motor control and learning: a behavioral emphasis. Human Kinetics.

For the applications to sports and training: Selection of scientific papers provided by the teacher.

Teaching methods

The course will be held in mixed modality, i.e. with frontal lesson that students will be able to attend either in the classroom or remotely.

Attendance is strongly recommended, also because the exam will be based on the material that will be discussed in the classroom. 

Assessment methods

The assessment method will be through a multiple choice test with 50 items to be completed in 60 minutes. 

 

For the students with DSA or who are unfamiliar with Italian, upon request it will be possible to take the exam in oral format. 

Teaching tools

All of the slides will be provided by the teacher through IOL and they will be the objective of the exam.

We will try to use as much as possible the digital supports (online forums, meetings on Teams) to favor the interaction between students and teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Valsecchi