Conference "Contemporary Sport Psychology: Research, Innovation and Professional Practice"

For the first time, Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) will host a scientific and practical conference in sport psychology "Contemporary Sport Psychology: Research, Innovation and Professional Practice”, bringing together psychologists, researchers, coaches, athletes, students, sport industry professionals, and other interested participants. The conference is dedicated to athletes’ psychological preparation, mental health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the implementation of evidence-based methods in sport practice.

Mg. psych. Beate Evelīna Dišlere, candidate at RSU, lecturer at the Department of Health Psychology and Pedagogy, and researcher in the National Research Programme “Sports” project:

“This conference emerged from the desire to bring sport psychology research and practice closer together — to create a space where researchers, psychologists, coaches, and athletes can come together to discuss what is truly happening within the sport environment.”

We believe it is important not only to share the latest research findings, but also to discuss real professional experience, mental health, teamwork, and the role of psychological preparation in an athlete’s development. The conference is designed as a dialogue — across countries, disciplines, and professional roles — with the aim of strengthening an evidence-based approach in sport. I invite everyone who has an interest in advancing the field of sport psychology to take part, so that together we can support athletes’ healthy development, promote the sustainability of the sport environment, and further highlight the importance of psychology within it.

23 April will be dedicated to the core themes of sport psychology — mental health and the strengths-based approach in sport. The day will begin with Mg. psych. Beate Evelīna Dišlere, who will address mental health risk factors, the spectrum of psychological difficulties, and support strategies in sport. This will be followed by a masterclass “Strengths Use in Sports” led by Prof. Charles Martin-Krumm (France), focusing on the identification and application of strengths to enhance athletes’ performance and well-being.

24 April will focus on sport psychology practice and research in Latvia. During the professional practice session, PhD Gundega Ulme will share her experience of working as a psychologist at the Paralympic Games. In the panel discussion, athletes, coaches, and psychologists will analyse collaboration models within the sport environment and examine the role of sport psychology in everyday training and competition processes. The afternoon will feature a thematic scientific session presenting the results of the National Research Programme Sports project Innovations, Methodologies and Recommendations for the Development and Governance of the Sport Sector in Latvia, as well as the international research project From Monitoring to Action: A Longitudinal and Cross-Cultural Perspective on Athletes’ Psychological Adaptation During the Sport Season rezultāti, kā arī Jauno pētnieku un studentu forums, veicinot jauno speciālistu iesaisti nozares attīstībā.

25 April will be dedicated to international perspectives and professional experience. The plenary session of international guest speakers will feature Assoc. Prof. Radu Predoiu, Asst. Prof. Alexandra Predoiu and Prof. Monica Stănescu (Romania), addressing coaches’ personality dimensions, the role of communication in sport, and the importance of emotional intelligence in athletes’ development. The second part of the day will include a symposium on the practical experience of psychological preparation coaches working with athletes, highlighting the integration of science and practice in sport psychology.

The conference promotes dialogue between research and practice, strengthens professional collaboration, and highlights the importance of sport psychology in the sustainable development of athletes.

The conference is implemented within the framework of an Erasmus+ project, in cooperation with the School of Practising Psychologists (École de Psychologues Praticiens, France) and the National University of Physical Education and Sports (Universitatea Națională de Educație Fizică și Sport, Romania).

Participation in the conference is free of charge, both in person (at the RSU main building) and online.

Agenda

Contact information

The conference is organised by the Department of Health Psychology and Pedagogy at RSU. For further information, please contact BeateEvelina[pnkts]Dislerersu[pnkts]lv