The features and mission of sport psychology in China

Abstract

This review presents readers with an overall picture about what China sport psychologists are doing and what concerns they have in their research and practice. Firstly, organisational structure, important academic activities, and accreditation system of China sport psychology are introduced. Next, we present the three research areas of China sport psychology, i.e., competition psychology, exercise psychology, and psychology of physical education. In addition, three mental training models proposed by Chinese sport psychologists are discussed, i.e., the comprehensive model for psychological development, adversity training model, and psychological development system for Chinese athletes. In the last section of this review, the authors analyze prospective research areas for sport psychology, including perception and decision making in sport, neuro-efficiency and neuro-plasticity, self-control and sport performance, athletes’ mental health, dose effect of mental health promotion through exercises, moderators on the relationship between exercise and mental health, and the intention-behavior gap in physical and mental health promotion through exercise.