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IJSP 2° Special Issue: 50° Anniversario

2° SPECIAL ISSUE 1970-2020

50 YEARS OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Guest Editors: Sidonio Serpa, Fabio Lucidi, Alberto Cei

Fifty years with the International Journal of Sport Psychology.

From the history of sport psychology to its actual pathways

ALBERTO CEI, FABIO LUCIDI, SIDÓNIO SERPA

Fifty years after its appearance as the very first journal specifically com- mitted to sport psychology, the International Journal of Sport Psychology (IJSP) is today a well reputed and well established scientific journal. Aimed at both researchers and practitioners, the papers published are often not just of academic interest, but also have practical applications too.

After the first special issue looking back at the history of sport psychology, with this second issue we are interested to reflect about contemporary sport psychology and the actual role of the IJSP as a peer reviewed journal publishing and circulating research findings and theoretical speculation from sport psychologist over five continents (both scientists and practitioners) to learn from and build upon.

The aim of this second special issue is than to underline how the historical background showed in the previous issue leaded sport psychology toward actual pathways, focusing on some new trends of research, as well as on the reorientation of some classic topics according to the society changes. Through the contribution of some invited scholars, the present issue would make a point trying to understand what changes sport psychology is facing, or has to face, in relation to some main issues.

Youth sport research: Describing the integrated dynamic elements of the personal assets framework

JEAN CÔTÉ, JENNIFER TURNNIDGE, ALEX MURATA, CAILIE S. MCGUIRE and LUC J. MARTIN

This critical review of the youth sport literature provides a guiding framework to inform future studies and interventions aimed at understanding or manipulating mechanisms proposed to explain youth athlete development. A global vision of ath- lete development is presented through the interactions of three dynamic elements: (1) appropriate settings, (2) quality social dynamics, and (3) personal engagement in activities. These elements are further broken down into individual layers, extending proximally to distally with layers positioned closest to an athlete having the most immediate impact. Given the correct arrangement, these dynamic elements work in concert to foster immediate, short-term, and long-term outcomes related to develop- ment in sport. We provide a detailed description of each dynamic element and include example literature associated with each of the subsequent layers.

50th years of research on doping prevention. A narrative review of tracks and perspectives.

FABIO LUCIDI and ANDREA CHIRICO

While the use of Performance-Enhancing and Aesthetic Substances (PAES) has been observed for thousands of years, doping has been conceptualized and regulated only in the modern era. The aim of the present study was to review the doping prevention theme in a narrative manner. The theoretical and research considerations presented in this article overall are guided by the assumption that doping behavior partly depends on the dynamic interplay between a set of individual factors, its environment, and the goal that guide the intentional behavior. Relatedly, this article introduces the general hypothesis that these forms interplay between socio-cognitive variables of particular importance in contributing to the scientific understanding of doping use, as they might help accounting for individual differences in doping intentions and doping use. In doing so, there are described theoretical and research frameworks that indirectly support this general view, and subsequently, is addressed the value of a focus on doping research. Finally, there are reported different research programs that have been tried to find empirical support to the hypothesized linkages between intervention, their efficacy and doping use in various sport contexts.

Exercise psychology meets public health: Avenues on health enhancing physical activity

MARLENE N. SILVA, CATARINA S. SILVA and ANTÓNIO L. PALMEIRA

Across its many different forms, physical activity (PA) has multiplicative health, social and economic benefits. Thus, PA promotion, traditionally addressed by the sports and exercise sector, is now being targeted intersectorally, including public health and policy. Developments in evidence regarding the physical and mental health benefits of even light PA, for short periods of time, have facilitated the publication of solid guidelines, but challenge remains on how to promote it. The majority of the evidence uses behavioral-change models typically used in the field of health psychology, applied to all sets of ill-health behaviors. However, given all the specificities of PA related behaviors (not confined to structured exercise), and their potential to be inherently intrinsic for one side, and automatically activated on the other, new approaches and models need to be further explored and tested. This paper aims to reflect on how the advances in exercise psychology and their intersection with health psychology can contribute to public health efforts on addressing the physical inactivity pandemic, while exploring examples from micro and macro level approaches, including an overview of PA promotion models in health care settings and the potential of digital tools in this field.

The psychological aspects of electronic sports: Tips for sports psychologists

SAMUEL GARCÍA-LANZO, IVÁN BONILLA  and ANDRÉS CHAMARRO

Professional competition in the field of videogames, known as electronic sports (esports), is rapidly growing and sport psychologists are considering provid- ing support to optimize performance. However, psychologists doubt whether esports is an activity of their competence and players (gamers) and coaches know little about how psychologists can help them optimize their performance. The aim of this article is to bring information related to esports and to how sports psychology applies to the context of competitive gaming. The paper begins with an overview of video gaming, tracing the evolution from the first recreational games to the international competitions of today. The article goes on to define esports and to discuss the extent to which they can be considered sports. Next, the article discusses the role of the sport psychologist in esports and offers an overview of the psychological issues worthy of special attention in this field. In addition, the article presents a career model applied to esports. Finally, the authors provide some reflections on the psychological factors involved in esports, highlight the possible roles of sport psy- chologists, and suggest possible directions for future research and interventions.

Is culture a (still) useful category of psychological and social analysis?

MICHAEL MCDOUGALL, TATIANA V. RYBA and NOORA J. RONKAINEN

The need to centralize culture in research and practice is now well-established in sport psychology and spans different genres of our discipline. Yet, in spite of some precious gains made in the last decade, the culture concept and the uses of it in sport psychology have already arguably become limited and stifled. Setting this observation within historical patterns of culture study witnessed in other disciplines (e.g., anthropology, cultural studies, organizational management), we offer a theoretical critique that outlines the possibility for the death of culture as a meaningful concept in Organizational Sport Psychology and Cultural Sport Psychology. Subsequently, we argue for the continued usefulness of culture and, how, in spite of many infirmities, it remains an essential concept for the analysis of psychological and social life. For culture to remain intellectually vital in these analyses (and in the development of competent cultural practice) though, it must be positioned differently, and with more theoretical variety and rigor. To support our arguments, we close with 5 (not exhaustive) recommendations that can help to secure the future of culture in sport psychology.

Sport performance interventions: Evaluating past strategies and providing future recommendations

CHRISTOPHER MESAGNO, DENISE M. HILL, KARL STEPTOE  and DANIEL J. BROWN

The purpose of this review is to highlight the emergence and development of psychological interventions that facilitate optimal performance, and propose future directions for applied sport interventions. Within the past 40 years, educational and alternative psychological skills training (PST) strategies (e.g., self-talk, relaxation) have been proposed, and researchers have shown they can be effective in facilitating athletic performance. However, such PST interventions largely promote the removal (or reduction) of unwanted psychological experiences. In contrast, researchers have offered contemporary approaches whereby athletes should be encouraged to increase their capacity to experience unwanted feelings, cognitions, or intentions, rather eliminating them, to increase psychological flexibility for optimal performance. We review this literature and offer future research directions that focus on the use of technology, on-line sport psychology consultancy, and consideration of post-performance assessments, as methods to improve future PST intervention delivery.

Coaching with virtual reality, intelligent glasses and neurofeedback: The potential impact of new technologies

THOMAS SCHACK, JOHN ELVIS HAGAN JR. and KAI ESSIG

The last decades have seen new sport technologies become increasingly important for recording, analyzing, and optimizing athletic performances. Combined with valid and defined diagnostic methods, these techniques have opened new perspectives and opportunities for an individualized and context-sensitive action support for training, competition, daily living management and communication. New technologies do not only allow athletes to reach better training results in a less amount of time, but also allow coaches to get more insights on training processes with more effectiveness. This contribution provides an overview of recent technological advancements in sport psychology and highlights their key characteristics as well as useful applications. Techniques that enrich the physical environment of athletes, such as virtual, augmented, and mixed realities are described with modern and mobile output devices like intelligent glasses. Additionally, explanations on attentional, auditory, and brain-related technologies such as neurofeedback that can help improve the cognitive processes of athletes, and serve as diagnostic and training tools are provided. The contribution concludes with a discussion on the ethical and practical implications of these new technological approaches for sport psychology from a broader perspective.

IJSP 2° Special Issue: 50° Anniversario

Stiamo per pubblicare il secondo special issue dell’International Journal of Sport Psychology per festeggiare il 50° Anniversario di questa rivista – 1970-2020. E’ dedicato al futuro della psicologia dello sport.

Ecco la bozza della copertina.

IJSP Special Issue: 50° Anniversario

SPECIAL ISSUE 1970-2020

50 YEARS OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Guest Editors: Sidonio Serpa, Fabio Lucidi, Alberto Cei

The IJSP: from an idea to an established Journal 

ALBERTO CEI, FABIO LUCIDI, SIDÓNIO SERPA

The International Journal of Sport Psychology was the very first journal specifically committed to sport psychology, and it was created almost 10 years before the Journal of Sport Psychology that was published for the first time only in 1979, founded by Rainer Martens. Few people know about the many difficulties associated to its founding and development. It was created following a decision of the Managing Council of the recently founded Inter- national Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP), led by Ferruccio Antonelli, to be the Society’s means of communication, as well as to promote this, then, new professional and scientific field, and to enable the diffusion of research all over the World. However, it was hard to found a publisher for this world- wide diffusion scientific journal.

The Cold War, the international sport psychology and the ISSP 

SIDÓNIO SERPA

The aim of this article is to document the influence of the Cold War in the development of sport psychology. This period that lasted from 1946 to 1989 deter- mined the international social and political reality following the World War II. Information for the article was gathered from personal oral and written interaction with major protagonists, as well as others that had experienced this period. Letters between the two first ISSP presidents, minutes and documents mainly from ISSP and FEPSAC were consulted. Articles, books and book chapters related to this topic were other sources for the article that discusses the influence of the Cold War in sports, the impact of this period in the development of sport psychology, the role of ISSP, and the situation determined by the end of the Cold War. Especially after the 1956 Olympics, sport victories were used as a propaganda tool, which led to the development of sport sciences, including sport psychology, in both sides of the Iron Curtin that divided the Socialist from the Capitalist parts of the World. The incep- tion of the ISSP in 1965 had an important role in promoting scientific and applied SP and making important bridges between professionals from the two blocs. After what was believed to be the end of the Cold War, a decrease in the development of SP both in the socialist countries and USA was observed, followed by an improve- ment mainly in Europe and Asia. 

 

The early years of FEPSAC (1969-1989).
Challenges for sport psychology in a divided continent 

ROLAND SEILER

Despite a growing interest in the history of Sport Psychology, little is known about the specific challenges and the working procedures in the first 20 years of FEP- SAC, when the continent of Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain. At the occasion of the 50th anniversary of FEPSAC, and based on document analysis, this article aims at shedding some light on the aims of FEPSAC’s working committees, the difficulties encountered, and the achievements made. More specifically, the Scientific Committee made attempts towards a common terminology and understanding of sport psychology concepts across the different European languages and the standardisation of tests for sport psychology. The Information and Documentation Committee was active in col- lecting and disseminating new publications. Despite considerable efforts and remark- able progresses, the long-term impact of those initiatives remained limited. 

 

North American sport psychology pioneers 

GLORIA BALAGUE, DANIEL GOULD  and GLYN ROBERTS

The article describes the evolution of Sport Psychology in North America, from the very first pioneers, who planted the seeds but did not have immediate suc- cessors, to the boom of the 1980’s and 90’s. 

The first part of the article is a historical recap, starting in 1895. The fast growth started in the 1980’s follows, emphasizing the impact of the Sport Psychol- ogy associations that emerged then, as well as the growth in publications. 

The section describing the work of the professionals who work as sport psy- chologists, opening fronts in a variety of performance arenas, both in the US and in Canada follows. 

Some of the main issues that impact the way sport psychology has evolved in North America are discussed, including the lack of coordination between the pro- fessional associations, the absence of a clear educational pathway to become a sport psychologist, and the recent changes to certification credentialing. 

 

Sport Psychology in selected post-socialist countries 

JAN BLECHARZ and JOANNA BASIAGA-PASTERNAK

The article aims to show the development of sport psychology in the selected European socialist countries. The Soviet Union was deliberately omitted, as it is the subject for a separate article. Sport psychology in particular countries has been pre- sented from the perspective of three distinct periods: the time before World War II, during the socialist period, and after the transformation. Main research areas, forms of practical support for athletes, and organizational activities have been depicted. Sport psychologists from post-socialist countries had and still have a significant influence on the shape of contemporary sport psychology. 

 

Publishing trends in the International Journal of Sport Psychology during the First 50 years (1970-2019), with a particular focus on Asia and Oceania 

PETER C. TERRY, RENÉE L. PARSONS-SMITH, ALESSANDRO QUARTIROLI and SUSAN M. BLACKMORE

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its first issue, we explored publication trends in the International Journal of Sport Psychology (IJSP), with a particular focus on research contributions from Asia and Oceania. A descriptive analysis of all articles published in IJSP between 1970 and 2019 (N = 1,175) was conducted to identify trends related to first author gender, country, and continent. Also, an analysis of research topics by decade was conducted using Leximancer. Key findings were: (a) female first authors became more prominent over time but remained in the minority; (b) the percentage of articles from Europe and Asia increased and the percentage of articles from North America declined, although the USA and Canada have been the top contributors over the life of the journal; and (c) the focus on particular topics, espe- cially those pertaining to athletes, performance, motor learning, motivation, and teams was sustained throughout the 50-year period. Within Asia and Oceania, the 10 coun- tries publishing the most articles were, in descending order, Australia, Israel, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, New Zealand, India, Japan, Singapore, and Turkey. 

 

Sport & exercise psychology in Africa 

TSHEPANG TSHUBE

The purpose of this paper is to give an in-depth historical and current state of sport psychology in Africa. The first objective is to provide sport psychology context through a brief discussion of sport and physical activity in Africa. The second objective is to share the current state of sport psychology in each regional block (i.e., north, east, south and west). The third objective is to discuss research and consultancy, and lastly the conclusion. In order to achieve the stated objec- tives, the author reviewed academic literature and also used additional data sources such as university websites.

 

History and development of sport psychology in Latin America 

LENAMAR FIORESE, RENAN CODONHATO, JOSÉ ROBERTO ANDRADE DO NASCIMENTO JÚNIOR, ALEJANDRO GARCÍA-MÁS and JOÃO RICARDO NICKENIG VISSOCI

The present study aimed to investigate the historical course of the sport psy- chology (SP) field and its development in Latin America. The keywords “history,” “sport psychology,” and related terms were searched for in Web of Science, Sci- enceDirect, LILACS, and Scielo databases, as well as Google Scholar and other manual searches to find scientific articles, book chapters, dissertations and other documents describing the history of SP in Latin American countries. Information was found for 15 Latin American countries. Drawing from the important data pre- sent in these works, the history of SP in this continent is presented in four periods that encompass its initial period (1930-1960), advancements in the applied and sci- entific field (1960-1980), consolidation of SP (1980-2000), and the recognition of SP (after 2000). The roots of SP in Latin America, its characteristics, factors driving its expansion and the actual state of SP are presented and discussed. 

 

Women in sport and exercise psychology: a North American perspective 

EMILY A. ROPER* and KATHERINE M. POLASEK**

 

Women’s contributions have had little place in the written histories of the field of sport and exercise psychology (Gill, 1995). Much of our written history of the field focuses on founders that were male, Caucasian, from the United States, and had a behavioral or experimental psychology background, with little attention to the role women, people of color, and those outside the United States played in the field’s his- tory and development (Krane & Whaley, 2010). Within this paper, we provide an overview of the literature devoted to North American women’s career experiences in the field of sport and exercise psychology, followed by a discussion of the history of feminist sport psychology and its influence on studying and acknowledging women in the field, as well as women’s experiences in sport and exercise. We then address the relative absence of documentation devoted to women’s contributions to the field out- side of North America. Lastly, we discuss the importance of female role models and mentoring women in sport and exercise psychology. 

50° Anniversario International Journal of Sport Psychology

In occasione del

50° anniversario dell’International Journal of Sport Psychology – 1970-2020

è uscito il primo numero speciale dedicato a come si è sviluppata la psicologia dello sport. 

Sidonio Serpa, Fabio Lucidi, Alberto Cei

For the second time in its history, the IJSP decided to mark its anniversary. Two special issues celebrate the 50 years of the journal, this being the first one, in a look at the History of sport psychology, while the second mostly looks into the future, identifying some new trends of research, as well as the reorientation of some classic topics according to the Society changes.

The purpose of the current issue is double. On one hand, to preserve the memory of the path taken by sport psychology so far, as well as paying tribute to those who contributed to its development. On the other hand, by reflecting on the History, to understand better the present situation and, thus, working more efficiently for the future applied and scientific developments.

Chi è interessato all’acquisto può scrivere attraverso l’indirizzo di questo blog.

Auguri di Buon Anno alla Psicologia dello Sport

La psicologia dello sport ha fatto molta strada da quando agli inizi degli anni ’60, nel periodo 1959-1963  venivano pubblicati 300 articoli. Continuiamo a pensare che sia una disciplina giovane ma sarebbe meglio iniziare a pensare che al contrario è una parte della psicologia ormai bene affermata e al suo interno molto differenziata.

Basti pensare che accanto alla classica distinzione fra psicologia dello sport e psicologia dell’esercizio, si sono affermate diverse altre aree come era già stato evidenziato da Robert Singer nella relazione introduttiva al Congresso Mondiale dell’ISSP a Lisbona nel 1993.

D’altra parte sono almeno 10 le riviste di psicologia dello sport e ogni anno vengono pubblicati in tutto il mondo decine di libri di psicologia dello sport.

La psicologia dello sport gode di buona salute e offre ormai le stesse opportunità che si possono trovare nelle altre aree della psicologia. Inoltre, è molto considerata da atleti e allenatori che ne comprendono la funzione.

Quindi mia cara Psicologia dello Sport ti auguro un prosperoso 2021!

 

 

 

1970 è l’anno di fondazione della prima rivista di psicologia dello sport

Quest’anno è il 51° anno dalla fondazione dell’International Journal of Sport Psychology (IJSP) nel 1970. Pubblicheremo due numeri speciali, il primo ha uno sguardo alla storia della psicologia dello sport e il secondo sulle future prospettive. Guest editors sono: Sidonio Serpa, Fabio Lucidi e Alberto Cei.

Il Journal è stata la prima rivista scientifica dedicata specificatamente alla  psicologia dello sport ed è stato creato quasi 10 anni prima della rivista americana, Journal of Sport Psychology, che è stata pubblicata per la prima volta solo nel 1979. Antonelli nel primo numero del 1970 scrisse:

“Il Consiglio Direttivo ha nominato un comitato di redazione (guidato da Olsen), e anch’io ho firmato un contratto con un editore norvegese … e ho ricevuto un buon numero di richieste di abbonamenti. A causa dei problemi che il dottor Olsen riferisce, mi sono trovato costretto ad assumere la carica di direttore e a trovare un altro editore, a tutti i costi e senza indugio, per avviare la rivista. Una rivista che informasse tutti i soci … era diventata una necessità, un dovere” (Antonelli, 1970, p.3-4).

Antonelli ha trovato la persona che avrebbe accettato questa sfida nel suo amico, l’editore Luigi Pozzi. Pozzi stesso mi ha detto che quando Antonelli ha proposto questa impresa, sono state necessarie poche parole per convincerlo ad accettare. Non si può che non essere d’accordo con Salmela (1999), quando afferma che questa è stata davvero una sfida eroica, ottenuta solo grazie alla determinazione solitaria di Antonelli, senza copertura finanziaria.

“Per 10 dollari l’anno sono in grado di offrire solo due piccoli numeri, senza pretese, e quindi c’è un’altra questione che devo rivelare. Quando l’iscrizione all’International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) era gratuita, ho ricevuto 1.500 richieste. Quando ho chiesto 10 dollari, non per l’ISSP, che non sostiene spese e quindi non richiede denaro, ma per l’abbonamento, solo il 10% ha pagato questo costo. Ho trovato un editore molto comprensivo, che ha accettato di rinunciare a tutto il suo profitto, e per questo  pubblicamente lo ringrazio dal profondo del mio cuore; ma le spese di stampa e spedizione sono enormi. Con quello che ho ricevuto fino ad oggi, sarò in grado di stampare e inviare il primo numero . E lo manderò a tutti i 1500 membri. Se necessario, poi vado avanti a mie spese … questa non è una dimostrazione di eroismo pazzo … Sono sicuro che quando riceveranno questo primo numero, molti soci pagheranno la quota di iscrizione per il secondo numero del 1970“ (Antonelli, 1970 p.4-5).

50° anniversario dell’International Journal of Sport Psychology

Quest’anno ricorre il 50° anno dalla fondazione dell’International Journal of Sport Psychology (IJSP) avvenuta nel 1970. Pubblicheremo due numeri speciali, il primo ha uno sguardo rivolto al passato alla storia della psicologia dello sport. Questo orientamento è stato scelto per mantenere viva la memoria di come siamo giunti allo sviluppo attuale e quali sono stati i protagonisti più significativi di questo percorso. Oggi abbiamo più di 10 riviste dedicate a questa disciplina, a cui si associano anche le molte altre di scienze dello sport che ospitano regolarmente contributi di carattere psicologico. Per tutti gli anni ’70 l’unica rivista disponibile era IJSP, almeno sino all’uscita nel 1979 del Journal of Sport Psychology fondato da Rainer Martens. Il secondo numero è dedicato maggiormente al futuro, individuando non solo alcune tendenze di sviluppo ma anche come la ricerca su alcuni temi classici si sta ri-orientando in funzione dei cambiamenti della nostra società.

IJSP si è festeggiato una sola altra volta in tutti questi anni. Così ha esordito a questo riguardo Ferruccio Antonelli:

“This special issue celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Journal and the fifteenth anniversary of the Society. It will readers its readers while European Section of ISSP – the FEPSAC – is holding its fifth Congress (September 1979) in Varna, Bulgaria, and celebrating its tenth anniversary” (p.149).

The authors of this special issue have been invited to provide a contribute on one of the seven topics proposed:

  • Psychological management of top-athletes (J. Salmela)
  • Coaches and sport psychology (B.S. Rushall)
  • Female sport today: psychological consideration (D. Harris)
  • Psychology of children in sport (F.L. Smoll and L.M. Levebvre)
  • Critical issues in the application of clinical psychology in the sport setting (B.C. Ogilvie)
  • Sport psychology foe handicapped (H. Rieder)
  • Research in sport psychology (R.N. Singer and J.E. Kane)
La pubblicazione di questo numero special fu un successo, documentato dalle lettere di congratulazioni degli autori ad Antonelli, di cui sono in possesso.
“My congratulation to the special issue. It is really very good one” (Miroslav Vanek, ISSP President).
“Congratulations on the Tenth Anniversary Special Issue of the International Journal of Sport Psychology. I hope that you have had good reactions and reviews for your efforts” (Dorothy Harris).
“Thank you for sending a copy of the anniversary issue of IJSP. You are to be commended for initiating such an ambitious project and congratulated for the quality of the final product” (Frank L. Smoll).
“Each issue of the International Journal of Sport Psychology seems to get better and better” (Robert N. Singer).
Certamente anche IJSP dovrà rinnovarsi così come sta avvenendo nel mondo della ricerca per affrontare le nuove sfide del prossimo decennio. In ogni caso, ora siamo orgogliosi che un editore italiano, le edizioni Luigi Pozzi, abbia mantenuto l’impegno di condurre la rivista sino al punto di essere diffusa in tutti i continenti e di avere un Editorial Board che rispecchia questa diffusione nel mondo. Ringrazio Sidonio Serpa e Fabio Lucidi per avere condotto insieme a me la realizzazione di questi numeri speciali, mi auguro che possa ricevere la stessa positiva accoglienza che ebbe Ferruccio Antonelli nell’ormai lontano 1970.

 

 

 

Ricordi indimenticabili affiorano lavorando per il 50° anniversario del Journal

Ieri ho scritto a Glyn Roberts in relazione allo special issue dell’International Journal of Psychology che pubblicheremo quest’anno per festeggiare i 50 anni di questa rivista, nata nel 1970. Questi diversi eventi mi hanno riportato alla memoria quando ho incontrato per la prima volta Glyn e gli altri membri del managing council dell’International Society of Sport. E’ stato a Varna, Bulgaria, nel 1987, avevo 32 anni e in quel momento per me fu abbastanza incredibile partecipare a un meeting del managing council, al posto di Ferruccio Antonelli che non aveva voluto partecipare, per parlare del futuro della rivista e soprattutto per ottenere che qualcuno di loro, Robert Singer, John Salmela, Lars Unestahl, Miroslav Vanek o Glyn Roberts assumesse la responsabilità scientifica del Journal.  Furono molto friendly con me, come lo sanno essere i Nord-Americani, forse anche per la ragione che si aspettavano un persona anziana e formale, un po’ nello stile di Antonelli. E quindi rimasero sorpresi quando mi conobbero. C’era molto tempo libero, passato a giocare a tennis, correre e fare passeggiate. Avevo letto il libro di John Silva III e Robert Weinberg intitolato “Psychological Foundations of Sport” e, quindi, conoscevo i capitoli di John Salmela e Glyn Roberts a cui non smettevo di fare domande sulla motivazione piuttosto che sulle origini della psicologia dello sport e il suo ruolo in Nord America.

Certamente molto gentili ma nessuno voleva prendersi la responsabilità della rivista. Conoscevano Antonelli e sapevano che sarebbe stato difficile collaborare con lui, data la sua storia nell’ISSP e anche perché era sua abitudine pubblicare tutti gli articoli che venivano inviati al Journal, senza applicare alcuna forma di revisione. Dissi che ero a conoscenza di questa modalità di gestione della rivista ma che da solo non avrei mai potuto modificare questo tipo di approccio e che, oltretutto non avevo la competenza per gestire una rivista scientifica.

Alla fine della discussione, John Salmela alzò la mano, dicendo in sostanza: “Ok, sono disposto ad aiutare il Journal, perché in ogni caso rappresenta l’International Society of Sport Psychology”. Le sue condizioni erano che lui ed io fossimo i nuovi co-editor, che Antonelli si ritirasse e su questa base avremmo costruito il sistema per migliorare la qualità scientifica del Journal. Le cose non andarono esattamente in questo modo, poiché Antonelli restò ancora per qualche tempo nel ruolo di editor-in-chief, non svolgeva nessuna funzione ma voleva mantenere agli occhi del mondo esterno il ruolo di leader. Comunque il sistema che mettemmo insieme funzionò e, in quegli anni, il Journal accrebbe in qualità scientifica. Con John abbiamo lavorato molto, passando anche del parecchio tempo insieme in Canada prima a Montreal e poi a Ottawa e in Italia, a Roma. Siamo diventati amici e ci siamo visti ogni anno per più di venti anni. Un altro incontro con il managing council fu a Ottawa nel 1992 (come nella foto qui sotto).

Da sinistra, Pierre Trudel, Alberto Cei, poi Jurgen Nitsch, Gerd Konzag,  John Salmela, Robert Singer, Denis Glencross, Gershon Tenenbaum, Marit Sorensen, Glyn Roberts, Atsushi Fujita, Semen Slobunov, Sidonio Serpa, Richard Magill, Carlos Moraes e Terry Orlick.

 

 

 

 

Psicologia dello sport in Cina




Autismo e sport: un legame poco conosciuto

Lo sport per giovani disabili intellettivi, bambini e adolescenti, soprattutto con la sindrome dello spettro autistico è un muro difficile da abbattere, vi sono troppi pensieri dogmatici che bloccano l’opportunità di sviluppo in questa fascia di età, decisiva per il tipo di impostazione che può fornire alla vita non solo presente ma anche futura da adulti.

Sedentarietà e sovrappeso sono l’esito più comune a cui vanno incontro questi giovani e le loro famiglie. In Italia gli alunni con disabilità nel sistema scolastico sono complessivamente 216.013, pari al 2,4% dell’intera popolazione (prossima a 9 milioni di alunni).

Di questi il 68% sono giovani con disabilità intellettiva.

Quanti praticano sport o attività motoria con continuità? Purtroppo non lo sappiamo e già questo è un fatto piuttosto grave che mette in evidenza il limitato interesse nei riguardi dello sport. Quante sono le organizzazioni sportive che svolgono programmi per questi giovani, anche su questo punto le informazioni sono molto scarse e le famiglie si basano sul passa parola per avere queste conoscenze.

Si potrebbe continuare con molte altre domande, che al momento non trovano risposta. Infine, la documentazione scientifica, ma non solo in Italia anche a livello internazionale è ridotta. Piuttosto, che documentare vige la regola ch “lo sport fa bene” e quindi dovrebbe essere praticato.  Poco è dato a conoscere sui programmi di allenamento svolti, sulle caratteristiche dei professionisti coinvolti, non esistono studi longitudinali.

Anche il recente quaderno sulle “Buone pratiche nell’autismo” pubblicato dall’Ordine degli Psicologi, certamente interessante per gli aspetti relativi a diagnosi e rapporti tra Scuola, famiglie e Servizi, ignora lo sport come sistema di empowerment dei giovani con ASD. E’ un peccato che non si siano informati su questo tema, perché lo sport rappresenta invece un tassello essenziale per lo sviluppo dei giovani con ASD.

International Journal of Sport Psychology ha dedicato un numero speciale su tema e chi fosse interessato lo può richiedere all’Editore Luigi Pozzi.