Critical Essays in Applied Sport Psychology Review

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(More customer reviews)Recommended for college-level sports collections is David Gilbourne and Mark B. Andersen, Editors' CRITICAL ESSAYS IN APPLIED SPORT PSYCHOLOGY, a collection of 16 essays discussing sport psychology's traditions, research models and more. A team of recognized sport psychologists with backgrounds in various disciplines presents ideas in the field in a collection that considers research methods, applications, and more. Each essay offers a different perspective on applied sport psychology practices.

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Critical Essays in Applied Sport Psychology is a thought-provoking collection of 16 essays discussing the field's traditions, research models, and practices. The editors have brought together a team of internationally recognized sport psychologists with backgrounds in various disciplines to offer insights into sport cultures ranging from youth sport to professional sport. The authors of these cutting-edge essays ask challenging questions about the current state of applied sport psychology, addressing the priorities of the field, its research methods, and its effectiveness in preparing students for research and consulting.

With ideas that will interest those in the applied sport psychology field as well as psychologists, psychotherapists, and research psychologists, Critical Essays in Applied Sport Psychology offers students and practitioners an opportunity to reflect on their own approaches to and assumptions grounding their current or future professional practice. Each essay offers a distinct perspective on applied sport psychology practice that challenges current applied training requirements and practices, with discussion questions at the conclusion of each essay to stimulate in-class discussion and individual reflection. Readers may also use these essays as springboards for pursuing new areas of research.

Part I of the text begins with six essays discussing the possibilities afforded by the use of research and inquiry within applied practice. The authors of these essays explore how stories of self and of others can facilitate an increased appreciation of the complexity of people's lives both inside and outside of sport. The essays in part II concern issues in professional service delivery with special emphasis on alternative ways to conceptualize and practice applied sport psychology. In part III, three essays explore specific topics in sport psychology practice dealing with both sport-specific and general sociocultural contexts.

Critical Essays in Applied Sport Psychology offers valuable perspectives not only for sport psychology professionals, students, and researchers but also for those who work alongside, manage, or employ applied psychology professionals. By looking beyond the traditional psychological skills training model, Critical Essays in Applied Sport Psychology offers new ways of uncovering and representing knowledge that will stimulate debate and open discussion on current research, methodologies, practices, and training requirements in applied sport psychology.

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Sports Acupuncture The Meridian Test and Its Applications Review

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(More customer reviews)It's wonderful to finally have all the research and information about the Meridian Test (M-Test) compiled into this manual.
This book is well organized, easy to read and has wonderful diagrams and illustrations. I think it's a great addition to any acupuncture practice - especially if you practice Japanese acupuncture, treat athletes or like to get your patients involved in their own healing process (by assigning "homework" to patients - stretches, exercises, etc., to help speed recovery and prevent re-injury).


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The meridian test (or M-test) is a powerful assessment, treatment, and self-care system that can be used to improve athletic performance and physical fitness. It simplifies the assessment of strain and injury so that even nonacupuncturistsand athletes can learn to apply massage and stretching more effectively.The M-Test is one of the most popular methods of sports acupuncture in Japan. Developed by Mukaino Yoshito, M.D., of the Sports and Health Science Department at Fukuoka University,the M-Test is based on his extensive experience inphysical education and sports medicine. The M-Test uses the meridian system of acupuncture to analyze the movements of multiple joints and muscles in a holistic way. The most suitable meridians for treatment are identified by evaluating a sequence of movements. Flexibility and ease of movement in relation to the meridians are assessed to identify the areas and muscles that need treatment.Based on the M-Test results, the synergistic action of the joints and muscles involved in the movements can be facilitated with acupuncture, massage, or stretching.For the acupuncturist, the M-Test provides another powerful assessment tool for the treatment of pain and compromised movement. This system is compatible with the traditional understanding of the meridians, but takes it a step further to clarify the relationship between the meridians and movement. Practitioners can render treatment with a better understanding of this relationship and identify the most effective points for treating pain and improving movement. The M-Test can also be used to evaluate the results of treatment or the stretching regimen so that a better strategy can be formulated if the results are unsatisfactory.Athletes can learn to perform M-Test movements before or even during competition to identify and correct abnormalities to improve their performance and prevent injuries.

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Understanding Sports Massage - 2nd Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a well written, well organized, attractively designed and comprehensive book on using massage to improve athletic performance. Although it is written for use by sports massage specialists, it is also useful for athletes and coaches. As an amateur athlete and martial arts instructor, it helped me understand when and how to use massage before and after athletic events, and what benefits to realistically expect; when it is not advised; and how to do simple self-massage or partner massage. Fascinating snippets about the history of massage in sports liven it up.
The new, second edition is better organized than the original. It uses photographs instead of drawings to better illustrate massage techniques, includes many new charts and figures, and updated research on the benefits of sports massage. Learning outcomes and study questions for each chapter have been added. Lists of figures, tables, and history briefs make it easier to quickly find information, and the entire book has a more attractive design.


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Updated and invigorated, Understanding Sports Massage, Second Edition, provides readers with an understanding of the fundamental theory and practical basis for using sports massage to keep athletes in top shape, recover from injuries, and improve performance. Like the successful first edition, Understanding Sports Massage is ideal for sport professionals and students in sports massage training programs. The book illustrates and explains massage techniques in detail and describes the procedures involved in conducting effective sports massage sessions, including determining goals, organizing the session, and choosing and applying techniques.

In addition to serving sport professionals, the new edition of Understanding Sports Massage will be useful to coaches, athletes, and teachers. They will be introduced to massage techniques that they can learn and apply in nonmedical situations such as in warm-ups, preparing for and recovering from competition, reducing the potential for injuries, and aiding in injury rehabilitation.

Understanding Sports Massage, Second Edition, also features many updates and improvements from the first edition:-Nearly 100 photographs demonstrate proper technique.

-New two-color presentation highlights specific elements of the photos and text for a clearer understanding of the techniques presented.

-Updated and expanded material throughout the book includes new sections on medications and massage, specialized massage techniques, and joint movements and stretching; an updated trouble spots form; more examples of remedial and rehabilitation applications; and a description of the increasing use of sports massage in integrative sports medicine settings. This text helps readers put theory into practice, first explaining the scientific underpinnings of sports massage and then describing in detail how to apply those concepts in a massage session.

This "how-to" approach extends to its planning and programming sections, in which the authors lay out the finer points of giving sports massage and then guide readers in implementing sports massage programs in various settings. The program-development portion of this book provides practitioners with detailed advice from the authors, who are well respected for their expertise and program-development skills. They address how to implement sports massage programs in various settings and how sports massage specialists cooperate with other sport and health professionals to provide the best possible care for athletes.

The result is a comprehensive and richly detailed guide to providing the best sports massage in a variety of settings and to developing a top-notch sports massage program in a school or university, a health club or organization, or a clinic or private practice.

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