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The Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) was founded in 1986. With about 1200 members, it has emerged as the largest applied sport and exercise psychology organization in the world.

• AASP promotes the science and practice of sport and exercise psychology.
• AASP advocates the application of psychological principles, that have been supported by research, in sport and exercise.
• AASP is interdisciplinary, drawing from the fields of exercise and sport science as well as psychology.
• AASP provide opportunities to share information related to theory development, research, and the provision of psychological services to consumers.
• AASP is member-driven: Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide grass roots leadership and the elected members of the Executive Board conduct the business of AASP.
• AASP is a leader in promoting and enhancing professional standards in the field of sport and exercise psychology.

Who are AASP members?

• AASP is an international organization, consisting of members from 28 different countries outside of North America.
• The membership of AASP includes professionals and students from the fields of sport science and psychology.
  • Sport science consists of many sub-divisions, including kinesiology, biomechanics, sport management, sport physiology, sport nutrition, athletic training, and others.
  • Psychology, as applied to sport and exercise includes counseling, developmental, clinical, and social psychology.

What is our purpose?

• To provide leadership for the development of theory, research and applied practice in sport, exercise, and health psychology.
• To offer and deliver services to athletes, coaches, teams, parents and other groups involved in exercise, sport participation, and rehabilitation.
• To establish and maintain professional standards through the development of certification procedures, ethical guidelines, and the promotion of respect for and value of human diversity. To further these goals, a Code of Ethics and a Position Statement on Human Diversity have been established.
• To certify individuals who have met a minimal level of training and experience to provide professional services in applied sport and exercise psychology. Currently, AASP is the only North American professional association in sport and exercise psychology that offers certification to its members.

AASP incorporates information and expertise from exercise and sport sciences and from psychology. The Association is comprised of three interrelated focus areas: Performance Enhancement/Intervention, Health and Exercise Psychology, and Social Psychology.

Health and Exercise Psychology focuses on the application of psychological principles to the promotion and maintenance of health-enhancing behaviors over the lifespan, including play, leisure physical activity and structured exercise, and the psychological and emotional consequences of those behaviors. Researchers in this area also investigate the role of exercise in disease remediation, injury rehabilitation, and stress reduction. (more info)

Performance Psychology focuses on research, theory, and practice intended to improve performance in exercise and sport. This area is also concerned with the effects of sport psychology interventions on the well–being of participants in exercise and sport. (more info)

Social Psychology focuses on individual and group processes in sport and exercise settings. This area applies social psychological principles in examining factors related to the sport participant, coach, team, and spectator. (more info)