Our sport and exercise focused psychology degree explores the power our minds can have on performance and motivation and delves into the mental barriers and mind games that prevent people from being active, as well as the importance of a winning mentality to achieve full potential. Dr Charlotte Williams (CW) and Dr Andrew Levy (AL) spoke to us about the importance of psychologists in sport and exercise, what you’ll explore on our degree, and they offer some advice for anyone considering a degree or future in this discipline.
For both of you, what was it that first sparked your interest in sport and exercise psychology?
CW: I first started enjoying sport and exercise psychology within A Level PE. I was fascinated with how the mind can influence performance. I then started my degree and started to resonate with some of the topics within my sport and exercise psychology modules. I had always played sport, and learning about some of the key concepts within sport and exercise psychology helped me to understand my experience in sport. Once I started my MSc, I was completely absorbed in the world of sport and exercise psychology, and I was fortunate enough to begin working with athletes under supervision. This is where my interest peaked, I was working with athletes and applying everything I’d learnt in the real-world.
AL: My interest in sport and exercise psychology was first ignited during my adolescent years as a football player, when I faced the challenge of recovering from multiple injuries. Being sidelined from the game gave me personal insight into the psychological struggles athletes often encounter. I came to understand how vital mindset, motivation, and emotional resilience are for physical recovery and maintaining mental well-being. This experience sparked a curiosity about how psychological techniques can support athletes through setbacks, help them stay focused, and keep them connected to their goals even when they’re not playing. That period of reflection and personal growth deepened my appreciation for the mind and body connection, ultimately inspiring me to explore sport and exercise psychology more seriously.
What are your current areas of research? Any interesting finding you can share?
CW: As a result of my applied work, I have developed an interest in working with parents within the sport domain. As such, a strand of research that I am focusing on now is the role of parents and supporting parents within the sport domain. Specifically, I have designed, implemented and evaluated several workshops that are used within junior golf to help parents understand the context in which their child is immersed, and to support parents with managing the demands of the sport context. Preliminary results demonstrate increased knowledge of the sport context and development of strategies to manage the demands faced.
AL: My research currently focuses on exploring how behaviour change interventions can promote and sustain physical activity throughout and beyond cancer treatment. A key finding from my recent collaborative work is that training cancer exercise specialists to deliver brief, motivationally supportive conversations can positively influence physical activity adherence and enhance quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. It has been eye-opening to see how motivational principles can be effectively applied to support physical activity behaviour change in cancer care.
Could you each tell us a little bit about the sport and exercise psychology degree at Edge Hill
CW: The sport and exercise focused psychology degree at Edge Hill is an exciting programme that helps you to develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts within sport and exercise psychology. Alongside this, a key feature of the programme is ensuring that you understand and have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding that you develop on the course to real-life scenarios. This may be through a series of activities within seminars, through case studies or through real-world opportunities.
AL: The degree provides you with a valuable opportunity to explore the psychological aspects of sport and exercise. It combines the study of psychological theories with application in real-world settings, such as enhancing athletic performance and boosting motivation to addressing mental health issues relevant to both sport and exercise environments. The programme also places strong emphasis on ethical practice and professional development, equipping you to make meaningful contributions in a variety of professional roles.
Why is sport and exercise psychology important?
CW: Put simply, the processes that are happening within the mind can be the difference between success and failure in sport. The way we think, influences how we feel, which ultimately influences our behaviour. Understanding the thought processes that individuals experience (and why), what they are feeling (and why) can help us to influence the desired behaviour. For example, you could be the most technically and tactically talented footballer in the world, but if you are unable to manage pressure this could significantly impact your performance, and progress in the sport. In this example, sport psychology is important as it helps us to understand where the pressure is coming from, how the pressure impacts the individual and enables sport psychologists to create strategies for the individual to use to overcome the pressure and deliver the performance they are capable of.
From an exercise perspective, exercise psychology is important as it helps us to understand individuals’ thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards exercise. Specifically, an exercise psychologist is focused on understanding how participation in exercise and physical activity can influence an individual’s development, health and well-being.
AL: Sport and exercise psychology is vital because it helps us understand how mental and emotional factors influence participation, performance, and overall wellbeing in both athletic and exercise settings. In sport, psychological insight is key to enhancing performance, coping with pressure, building resilience, and facilitating recovery from injury.
In exercise contexts, psychology plays a crucial role in helping individuals overcome barriers to physical activity, maintain motivation, and establish long-term healthy behaviours. It also contributes to improved psychological health, self-esteem, and quality of life. This is especially important for those living with chronic conditions or recovering from serious illnesses, such as cancer or heart disease.
So, Andrew, what advice would you give to students who are considering a sport and exercise psychology degree?
AL: If you’re considering whether a sport and exercise psychology pathway is the right fit, it’s helpful to reflect on what truly interests you. Are you interested in the psychological factors that shape human behaviour, especially in the areas of performance, motivation, and wellbeing? Do you wonder how psychological principles influence athletic success or affect someone’s ability to stay physically active?
If so, this degree offers a unique opportunity to blend your passion for sport or exercise within the study of psychology. It allows you to explore how mental skills can enhance performance in athletes and how behaviour change strategies can support individuals in leading more active and healthier lives.
And Charlotte, why should someone choose Edge Hill as the place to study their sport and exercise psychology degree?
CW: Studying sport and exercise psychology at Edge Hill will provide you with the foundations to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills within the realm of sport and exercise psychology. Our undergraduate degree is endorsed by the BPS, which means that you can begin your sport and exercise psychology journey from the moment you begin your studies.
Our staff hold a wealth of knowledge and experience and are passionate about bringing the topic of sport and exercise psychology to life through seminars, practical’s and applied opportunities.
Our teaching is informed by the expertise of our staff who are actively working within the applied world.
There are three key reasons why we believe you should study sport and exercise psychology with us:
Get set for your future in sport and exercise psychology at Edge Hill.
June 4, 2025
