Sport and physical activity, psycho-physical techniques, mental and physical health

Teacher(s)

Brevers Damien; Thonon Bénédicte (compensates Brevers Damien);

Language

French

Content

This teaching unit (UE) will focus on two main themes:

1. the psychological mechanisms involved in the initiation and maintenance of physical activity, and in sports performance.
2. Body-mind strategies 

These themes will be addressed in an integrative way, that is to say, by applying a mode of teaching allowing "back and forth" between concepts and theoretical models (e.g., models of self-control, process of self-determination & feeling self-efficacy, triadic model of self-regulation...) and intervention techniques (relaxation, mental imagery, intention implementation, ...) adapted to the field of physical activity psychology.
These aspects will be illustrated by the teacher based on concrete experiences (relaxation exercises, imagery...), case formulations and intervention projects associated with target issues.

Teaching methods

This TU will adopt a flipped classroom method that will aim to anchor the student in a constant process of experimentation and critical reflection. This dynamic will aim to bring the student to reach a level of integration of knowledge that allows him to be a responsible actor in the field of psychology of physical activity.
The duration of a course session is generally 3 hours. The sessions will regularly follow a mixed format with part of in-house classes (projected presentation/videos/discussions), as well as practical work in the auditorium, outdoors or psychomotor room. 
Detailed information on course dynamics and different learning outcomes will be provided in the first course session. 
Attendance at classes is mandatory.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation will focus on two areas:
1. The realization of a work in pairs (individual written report; 5 pages) where the student will develop a critical reflection on the techniques seen in class and put into practice in pairs for 4 weeks. This work will be rated on 8 points.  The report can be written in English.
2. A group work (in the format of a 20-minute oral presentation) where students will have to develop their own psychological intervention project. This intervention should be based on empirical evidence and should aim at initiating and/or maintaining physical activity in a target population. This work will be rated on 12 points.  
The use of AI (ChatGPT...) will not be tolerated for this course. Its contribution is limited because the quality of the work comes from practical experience and individual critical reflection.

Other information

- Participation in the course implies mandatory registration on the MoodleUCL website
- The lectures take place in the SOCR -240 auditorium and the practical work sessions (TP) in the psychomotor room (see Moodle and the ppt of the 1st course for the precise schedule)
- The first session of the course will take place on Monday 25 September 2023 at 16:15 on the “parking malin” at the entrance of the Bois de Lauzelle (MJF4+44 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve; https://goo.gl/maps/hELZvSxzWJKG9SBcA).
For any mobility issues, send an email to benedicte.thonon@uclouvain.be

Online resources

Accessible on the Moodle space of the class.

Faculty or entity

> EPSY