TI101 Positive Sport Psychology for Youth Athletes (Spring 2027)

ECTS Credits:
5
Responsible department:
Department of Sport and Social Sciences
Course Leader:
Pierre-Nicolas Lemyre
Lecture Semester:
Spring
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

Introduction

This course explores how psychological processes influence learning, performance, motivation, and well-being in children and adolescents participating in sport. Integrating principles from Sport Psychology and Positive Psychology, the course focuses on four core domains: effective communication, mental skills training, adaptive mental toughness, and happiness in youth sport. Students will examine how coaches, parents, peers, and sport environments shape athlete experiences and development. Practical applications and sport-film case analyses are used throughout the course to connect theory with real-world youth sport contexts.

Prerequisite

No prior requirements.

Admission to the course

Online students, exchange students, and internal NIH students from all study programs.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to:

  • Explain how communication styles in youth sport influence motivation, relationships, learning, and athlete well-being.
  • Apply appropriate mental skills (e.g., goal setting, self-talk, imagery, attention control) within structured youth sport activities.
  • Identify and describe how coaching behaviors and sport environments shape athlete experiences, using concepts from Positive Psychology (e.g., enjoyment, strengths, resilience, motivation)
  • Discuss how communication, motivational climate, and mental toughness influence athlete experiences in youth sport contexts, using relevant psychological concepts.
  • Design and justify a youth sport session that integrates communication strategies, mental skills training, mental toughness, and happiness principles with clear links to motivation and athlete development.

Learning methods and activities

The course combines lectures, discussions, practical activities, reflective learning, film analysis, and Canvas-based learning modules. Students will engage with case studies from youth sport, complete interactive online activities, participate in group discussions, and apply psychological concepts to practical sport settings. Selected sport films and real-world coaching examples will be used to support critical reflection and applied learning.

Students are expected to complete learning assignments and activities provided in Canvas throughout the course.

Work requirements

Students must complete all required assignments, activities, and tests in Canvas. All work requirements must be passed to be to be eligible to take the final exam.

Assessment/exam

Assessment Method: Home Exam (Video Submission)

Students will complete the final assessment by submitting a recorded short video presentation.

Grading Scale: Pass/Fail

Details will be given in Canvas (learning platform).

Core literature

All reading lists will be provided in Canvas and formatted according to APA 7th edition guidelines.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 3:19:08 AM