Reflective Practice in the Sport and Exercise Sciences: Contemporary Issues

Drawing on the experiences of scientists, researchers, practitioners and teachers in a wide range of sport and exercise settings, this book explores contemporary issues in reflective practice and considers the way that reflective practice impacts upon applied practice, on research methodology and on professional development. It includes chapters on the use of reflective practice in areas as diverse as:

• delivering coach education
• sport psychology support
• working in sports physiology
• developing young players in sport
• exercise-related interventions
• physiotherapy
• working inside a professional football club
• student skills and the physical activity and health curriculum

Based on multi-disciplinary work in education and the health sciences, and exploring the crucial interface between learning and practice, this book is important reading for all sport and exercise scientists and any professional working in sport and exercise looking to become more effective practitioners.

Zoe Knowles is Reader and HCPC Practitioner psychologist at Liverpool John Moores University, specialising in the areas of reflective practice, elite sports performance and paediatric exercise science (active play). She has published extensively within international journals on reflective practice and has advised BASES, The Open University (UK) and International HEI’s as regards the development and facilitation of reflective practice in curricula.

David Gilbourne is Professor of Critical Qualitative Research in the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health at the University of Hull. He initiated and co-directed the 1st and 2nd International Conferences in Qualitative Research in Sport (2004–2006), and co-founded and now acts as Advisory Editor to Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. His research interests include critical reflective practice and the practice of critical social science, and his writing explores the representation of qualitative research through creative mediums such as storytelling, auto-ethnography, poetry and theatre.

Brendan Cropley is Senior Lecturer in Coaching Science and Sport Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University as well as a BASES Accredited Sport & Exercise Scientist. His research has focused on effective and reflective practice in sport psychology as well as the utility of reflective practice as a means of developing life skills in young athletes.

Lindsey Dugdill is Professor of Public Health at the University of Salford. She has previously been a member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Reflective Practice and has integrated reflective practice into her teaching and research practice throughout her career.