England

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Accessibility statement
In this module, you’ll explore some of the most significant psychological factors influencing an athlete’s development in sport. Through critical analysis of relevant research and the application of psychological theories and concepts, you will consider the influences of factors such as the family, coach-athlete relationships, mental health, and transition experiences across an athlete’s playing career. This module is ideal for those interested in sports and exercise psychology or working in the field as a coach or in a related role. Whilst the module is focused predominantly on sports performance, it also considers some aspects of exercise participation more broadly.
This module comprises six study topics to help you explore the psychological aspects of athletic development:
Study topic 1: Introduction to athletic development
In this first study topic, you're introduced to the athletic development themes that underpin the module and consider how athletic development paths are researched. You'll examine the psychological characteristics of athletic development and explore a framework of athletic development that helps connect the topics studied in the rest of the module.
Study topic 2: Family influences on athletic development
The family can have a significant impact on a young athlete’s potential to develop within sport. In this next topic, you'll examine research that investigates family influences on the development of young performers from a psychological perspective.
Study topic 3: The coach-athlete relationship
The relationship between a coach and athlete is fundamental to an individual’s athletic development. In this study topic you will analyse research examining some of the factors that facilitate and hinder the development of a successful coach-athlete relationship.
Study topic 4: Mental health and wellbeing in sport
The importance of mental health is being increasingly recognised in sport. In this topic you will examine the nature and prevalence of mental health difficulties in athletes and coaches and consider how they can be prevented or treated. You'll also explore how positive mental health and wellbeing can be promoted in sporting environments to facilitate effective athletic development.
Study topic 5: Topical issues in athletic development
Mental health and wellbeing is further explored in this study topic where you choose which further options you wish to study. The options examine:
Study topic 6: Transitions through sport
As an athlete progresses through their sporting career, they will make several transitions. In this study topic you'll examine some of the psychological influences and responses to transitions within sport (e.g. the move from junior to senior level) and out of sport (retirement).
There are no formal qualification requirements for this module. However, as it is a OU level 3 module it is recommended that you have completed at least one sport and fitness module before embarking on study in this area.
You will be required to read and interpret detailed research articles so your academic skills should reflect these expectations.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You'll have access to a module website, which includes:
You’ll also be provided with a module reader in eBook format.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying E312 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Athletic development: a psychological perspective (E312) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.
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