Sport Psychology and coaching

Exploring sport coaching and psychology

Open University

This looks at the influence of coaching and psychology through the lens of sports people and teams who have been successful. In it you focus on coaching practices used with young people and adults, including research and advice of leaders in their fields. Find the course here

Exploring the psychological aspects of sport injury

Open University

This course examines the relationship between injury and psychological factors, looking at the link between injury and psychology at two distinct points – before an injury has occurred and then following an injury. Click here to find it.

Developing resilience in sport

Open University

This course looks at how resilience acts as a buffer for athletes. It will help you understand what resilience is and how to work on building it. Click here to find it

Supporting female fitness in sport and exercise

Open University

A course that is a must do for coaches, sport psychs or physios who work with female athletes. With input from the fabulous Emma at The Well, and the awesome OU tutors Simon Rea and Jessica Pinchbeck this course covers the physiological and psychological differences between male and female athletes, female specific issues in sport and the gender gap in research. You can click here to sign up.

Learning from Burnout and Overtraining

Open University

A course looking at those sports people who have thrived and those who have experienced burnout. By exploring burnout you will gain a deeper understanding of the physical and mental aspects of sport such as athletic identity, overtraining and perfectionism. Find the course here.

Motivation and factors effecting motivation

Open University

This course explores the term ‘motivation’ and the factors which affect it. This covers the most influential theories of motivation that contribute to understanding the causes of motivation. The motivation of sports people and people working in sport and fitness environments are used to help understand the theories presented. Click here for the course

The athlete’s journey through sport

Open University

This course is aimed at helping you understand the journey an athlete undertakes during their career, whether as a professional or recreational athlete, and the nature of support they may need at different times. It looks at the key transitions and the psychological challenges of some of these transitions. Click for the course

Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness.

University of Rochester

This is my favourite theory (yes – I do need a life!) and it highlights the basic psychological needs (relatedness, competence and autonomy) that promote high quality motivation and wellness. This course is actually run by Professor Richard Ryan, co-founder of the theory so you will get a fantastic introduction to it – and he also illustrates the practical applications of SDT, with emphasis on educational, work, sport, healthcare and psychotherapy settings. Click here

Mental Skills training for Sport and Health

Manchester Met University

This course teaches some of the mental skills that applied sports psychologists regularly use to help athletes enhance their sports performance. Click here

The science of training young athletes

University of Florida

This course is focused on showing how to keep youth athletes engaged, healthy and develop their potential. The course looks at the multidimensional nature of coaching, the relevant sport motor performance abilities, the impact of growth and development on motor skills, the gene versus practice controversy, and briefly overview the body structures strengthened through training. It then explores the athlete’s energy supply and then the development of strength, power, anaerobic capacity, coordination and flexibility through the life span. Click here

General Psychology

Introduction to Psychology

Yale

Provides a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behaviour by exploring topics such as perception, communication, learning, memory, decision-making, persuasion, emotions, and social behaviour.  Click here

Positive Psychology

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This course discusses research findings in the field of positive psychology and features practical applications of this science that you can put to use immediately. Click here

Introduction to Psychology

University of Toronto

This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of human behaviour. The course covers memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness and how these develop as we age. Click here

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills

University of Pennsylvania

A course which teaches how to incorporate resilience interventions into both home and work life. It includes information on protective factors (such as mental agility and optimism), strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions and critical relationship enhancement skills. Click here

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Science of Wellbeing

Yale

A course which sets challenges to increase happiness and build more productive habits. It covers the misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. Over 3.5 million people have taken this course. Click here

Supporting Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing

Open University

This course is designed to help you understand the influences on mental health in young children, identify the factors that contribute to good mental health in children, explore national and global influences on children’s mental health, develop knowledge about strategies and interventions to improve mental health in children and examine how we can support children’s mental health and wellbeing. Click here

Exercise and Mental Health

Open University

One of the best treatments for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It can be very effective for some, low cost and has few side effects. This course looks at the links between exercise and improved mental health and psychological well-being. Click here

Young people and their mental health

Cambridge University

The course helps young people learn to recognise, prevent and deal with mental health problems. The course has been created for young people aged over 14 wanting to know more about mental health but could also be of interest to parents, caregivers, teachers and medical professionals. Click here

Physiology

Managing your health – the role of physical therapy and exercise

University of Toronto

This course covers the concepts and benefits of physical therapy and exercise. Click here

The Science of Exercise

University of Colorado, Boulder

Study this should helps you to have an improved physiological understanding of how your body responds to exercise, and will be able to identify behaviours, choices, and environments that impact your health and training. Click here

Introductory Human Physiology

Duke University

On this course you should learn to recognize and to apply the basic concepts that govern integrated body function (as an intact organism) in the body’s nine organ systems. Click here

Training for speed and power in sport

Open University

By the end of this course you should be explain what is meant by the concepts of speed and power, understand the physiological principles that underpin speed and power and apply a range of training techniques for speed and power in practice. Click here

Training for endurance in sport and fitness

Open University

A course to help you understand the concept of endurance and the physiological principles that underpin endurance. It should also help you to apply a range of techniques for endurance in practice and assess which training methods are most suitable for performance in different sports. Click here

Recovery strategies in sport and exercise

Open University

In studying recovery strategies in sport and exercise you will learn the science behind recovery exploring the physiological processes involved in training and recovery and the potential role of recovery strategies. Click here

General Sporting Interest

Professional Sport Management

Athlete 365

This course covers the fundamentals of the business of sport including marketing and  governance. Click here

Sport and Society

Duke University

This course draws on anthropology, sociology and history to give new perspectives on the games we watch and play. Click here

Communication skills

Communication and working relationships in sport

Open University

The course covers the skills required to boost your ability to vary your communication approach according to the situation and the needs of the people involved. Click here

Developing Clinical Empathy: Making a Difference in Patient Care 

St George’s, University of London

To learn skills to help you understand a patient’s situation. Helps to develop relationship-building skills such as compassion and empathy. Covers different types of empathy, explores non-verbal cues, and understanding key opportunities for showing empathy in clinical care. Click here

Learning how to learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects

University of California, San Diego

Provides access to learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, maths, science and sports. Covers illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Click here