Applied sport psychology brings theory and research into sports to educate coaches, athletes and parents on how to obtain optimal sport involvement and performance.

The Sport and Exercise Psychology program (SEP) in the School of Physical Education at West Virginia University has distinguished itself as one of the premier programs in the world in terms of research in this field.

According to a study by California State University , Fresno , in the last 11 years at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP) National Conference, WVU ’s SEP program students and faculty have been recognized as presenting more empirical research at this conference than any other program worldwide. The study was funded by the AAASP , whose conference is the largest of its kind dedicated to sport and exercise psychology in the western hemisphere.

This is a great honor which speaks to the quality of our program,Sam Zizzi, program coordinator and assistant professor, said.It’s a testament to our faculty and students active in the field.

Since 1994, WVU ’s students and faculty have conducted 135 presentations at the national conference related to the effective and ethical practice of sport psychology. Topics presented include: aggression in sport; exercise behavior; sport performance enhancement techniques; the psychology of injury rehabilitation; and counseling issues in college student-athletes.

Faculty in the SEP program at WVU use a science-practice model of training, Zizzi explained. Students conduct research then put it to use working with athletes and exercise participants, logging nearly 600 hours with clients during the course of their program.This recognition shows our students and faculty are highly productive in the research and practice of applied sport psychology,Zizzi said.

During the most recent conference in Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada , faculty and students conducted 12 presentations.