Sport Cyberpsychology is the first book devoted to assessing the influence of technology on human interaction, behaviour and mental health in a sport context, gathering research on the use of technology and the Internet by athletes, coaches and sport science support staff.
The book identifies the potential impact of technology on athletes' mental preparation for competition, as well as the role of technology in improving performance. It explores the use of technology by athletes and sport organisations for social interaction, while also considering the 'darker' side of athletes’ Internet use.
It covers topics including:
- the role of GPS, gaming and virtual reality in training and injury recovery
- the use of social media by athletes and sport organisations
- the psychology of self-presentation and brand management, as well as issues of online privacy
- the use of technology by other elite groups, such as military and medical personnel, and non-elite sportspeople
- cyberbullying and online harassment of athletes
- online gambling and athletes' mental health in relation to their online activities
- virtual learning environments and the educational opportunities the online world can offer athletes
Accessibly written, with a companion website featuring lecture slides, reading lists, video links and suggested social media accounts, Sport Cyberpsychology offers a complete resource for students and instructors alike. It is important reading for any students of sport psychology, sport coaching or sport media, as well as coaches, athletes and sport science support staff.
Part I: Introducing Sport Cyberpsychology
1. What is Sport Cyberpsychology?
2. Types of Technology Commonly used in Sport – An Introduction
Part II: Exploring the Use of Technology to Prepare Participants for their Sport
3. Athletic Performance: The Impact of Technology on the Mental Preparation of Elite Athletes
4. Athletic Performance: The Role of Virtual Reality
5. The Role of Technology in Athlete-Sport Psychology Consulting
Part III: Sports Personnel in the Online World
6. Athletes and the Internet
7. Athletes and Social media
8. Teams’, Coaches’ and Organisations’ Uses of the Online World
Part IV: The Dark Side of Sport Cyberpsychology
9. Cyberbullying and Cyber-harassment within sporting environments
10. Athletes’ Mental Health and Problematic Online Behaviours
Biography
Olivia A. Hurley is Lecturer in Psychology and Sport Psychology at the Institute of Art, Design + Technology (IADT), Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, and works as a Visiting Assistant Professor in University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. She is a Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), and a consultant Sport Psychologist with the Sport Ireland Institute. Olivia holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, along with an MSc and a PhD in Sport Psychology from University College Dublin (UCD).
