Applying Sport and Exercise Psychology in practice: Insights from the Alpine Run Project

This blog is written by a Sport and Exercise Psychology student at Coventry University. As part of the course, students are encouraged to take part in external opportunities that allow them to apply psychological theory in real-world settings. In this post, the student reflects on their involvement in the Alpine Run Project.

During my involvement in the Alpine Run Project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team of students to deliver a series of educational webinars focused on enhancing performance in trail running. The overall aim of the project was to provide young trail runners with evidence-based strategies to improve their mental and physical preparation before a run, while also developing our own professional and communication skills as facilitators.

Being part of a project that linked academic knowledge with real-world application was both exciting and rewarding, as it allowed me to explore how psychological principles can be used to enhance athletic performance. My main responsibilities included developing presentation slides and delivering these to participants during the online webinars. This required me to research relevant psychological theories, structure information clearly, and design visually engaging materials that could effectively communicate complex concepts to a non-specialist audience.

Preparing for the delivery stage helped me develop strong organisational and time-management skills, as I had to coordinate with my team, meet deadlines, and rehearse my section to ensure smooth delivery. Presenting to an audience also improved my communication and public speaking confidence, which was initially an area I found challenging. Through continuous practice and constructive feedback from my peers, I learned to present information more clearly, maintain audience engagement, and adapt my tone and pace to suit the online format.

An opportunity like this helped me gain a level of confidence I did not think was possible before. At first, I was nervous about presenting to an audience of athletes and peers, but the support and collaboration within our group made the process much more manageable.

Working alongside such motivated and professional peers in both the development and delivery of the webinars highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration. I learned that effective teamwork relies on open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to support one another when challenges arise.

These are qualities that I now recognise as essential in any professional environment, particularly in sport and exercise psychology, where working collaboratively with athletes, coaches, and other practitioners is key. This project also deepened my understanding of how to enhance performance and focus before trail runs.

Exploring psychological strategies such as goal setting, mental imagery, and self-talk gave me valuable insight into how athletes can prepare mentally for endurance challenges. It also gave me a clearer picture of how sport and exercise psychologists operate in applied settings - translating theory into practice to help individuals reach their potential.

Overall, participating in the Alpine Run Project was an enriching experience that strengthened my communication, teamwork, and confidence. It provided me with practical insight into trail running and performance enhancement while reinforcing the importance of focus and mental preparation. This experience has inspired me to continue developing my skills and apply the lessons learned to future opportunities in sport and exercise psychology, as I work toward becoming a reflective and effective practitioner.

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