06/24/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Dr. Geir Jordet

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Geir Jordet, a leading international expert in the psychology of football, focusing on decision-making, leadership, and performance under pressure. He is a professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, where his research has explored topics such as pre-performance routines, penalty shootouts, and the role of visual perception and body language in elite-level play. Jordet has worked closely with top football clubs, national teams, and organisations worldwide, translating cutting-edge psychological insights into practical strategies for high performance. His work bridges the gap between science and sport in a way that continues to influence coaching practices and athlete development at the highest level. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. /// Gestur þáttarins er Dr. Geir Jordet, leiðandi alþjóðlegur sérfræðingur í fótboltasálfræði knattspyrnu. Hann hefur í rannsóknum sínum einblínt sérstaklega á ákvarðanatöku, forystu og frammistöðu undir álagi. Hann er prófessor við Íþróttaháskólann í Noregi og hafa rannsóknir hans m.a. snúið að hlutverki sjónrænnar skynjunar og líkamstjáningar í leikjum á afreksstigi. RU Sport Psych Podcast er þáttasería innan Íþróttarabbs HR, sem er haldið úti af íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík. Í þessari syrpu er íþróttasálfræði skoðuð frá ýmsum sjónarhornum, þar sem kafað er bæði í fræðilega og hagnýta þætti greinarinnar. Markmið þáttarins er að dýpka skilning á íþróttasálfræði og miðla bæði fræðilegri og hagnýtri þekkingu.

57 min

05/30/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Daði Rafnsson

Peter O’Donoghue talks to Daði Rafnsson about a newly published study that aimed to develop a method based on Chris Harwood’s 5Cs framework to help coaches articulate how football players should demonstrate psychological skills through behaviours on the field. Eight professional coaches and one academic expert collaborated with the researchers in a focus group to design psychological role descriptions for seven playing positions. The method and the role descriptions can be valuable tools to enhance coaching efficacy by helping coaches frame, communicate, and deliver their expectations more efficiently through a shared framework. Peter and Daði also talk about how the 5Cs can help coaches strategically implement psychological skills into training sessions. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.

26 min

05/30/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Dr. Peter Haberl and Dr. Göran Kenttä

In this episode, we are joined by two internationally renowned sport psychology experts: Dr. Peter Haberl and Dr. Göran Kenttä. Dr. Peter Haberl, former senior sport psychologist with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, shares his insights into attention, mindfulness, and performance under pressure. Drawing on decades of experience supporting Olympic athletes, Peter discusses how athletes can train their awareness and develop psychological flexibility to perform at their best when it matters most. Dr. Göran Kenttä, researcher and lecturer at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), brings a unique perspective on coach and athlete well-being. His academic and applied work emphasises the importance of mental health, burnout prevention, and sustainable high-performance environments. Göran discusses the role of self-compassion and mental health in fostering sustainable careers within the demanding world of high-performance sports. Our host in this episode is Richard Taehtinen, Associate Professor at the University of Akureyri and one of the organisers of the micro-credential studies in sport psychology at RU. Richard works closely with researchers at Reykjavik University Whether you're an athlete, coach, or simply interested in the mental side of performance, this episode offers powerful takeaways from two of the field’s leading minds. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects.

49 min

04/15/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Kristoffer Henriksen

Kristoffer Henriksen er íþróttasálfræðingur og prófessor við Háskólann í Suður-Danmörku (SDU). Hann er einnig yfirmaður rannsóknardeildar í íþróttavísindum og er jafnframt þróttasálfræðingur hjá Team Danmark, stofnuninni sem ber ábyrgð á afreksíþróttum í Danmörku. Áhugasvið hans snýr að hæfileikamótun, frammistöðuþáttum og sálfélagslegum þáttum íþrótta. Henriksen hefur lagt mikið af mörkum til fræðigreinarinnar með rannsóknum sínum á faglegri nálgun í íþróttasálfræðiþjónustu hjá Team Danmark. Hann hefur einnig sett fram áhrifamiklar kenningar um heildræna nálgun í hæfileikamótun þar sem áherslan er á umhverfið sem íþróttafólk elst upp í. Daði Rafnsson ræðir við Henriksen í þessum þætti um rannsóknir hans og störf. Daði er doktorsnemi við sálfræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík og fagstjóri Afreskssviðs Menntaskólans í Kópavogi. Hann hefur víðtæka reynslu af því að starfa með þjálfurum, foreldrum og íþróttafólki á öllum stigum. Doktorsrannsókn hans snýr um markvissa þjálfun sálrænna þátta í knattspyrnu, en hann og Harwood ásamt samstarfsfólki þeirra hafa unnið í því að rannsaka og þróa aðferðir til að gera hana aðgengilega fyrir þjálfara, foreldra og íþróttafélög. Í þessum þætti ræða þeir um hvers vegna það gengur oft illa að koma sálrænni færniþjálfun að í íþróttafélögum og hvernig stjórnendur íþróttafélaga ættu að líta á hana sem hluta af heildrænni færniþjálfun á borð við styrktarþjálfun. RU Sport Psych Podcast er þáttasería innan Íþróttarabbs HR, sem er haldið úti af íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík. Í þessari syrpu er íþróttasálfræði skoðuð frá ýmsum sjónarhornum, þar sem kafað er bæði í fræðilega og hagnýta þætti greinarinnar. Markmið þáttarins er að dýpka skilning á íþróttasálfræði og miðla bæði fræðilegri og hagnýtri þekkingu. Tvær námsleiðir eru í boði í íþróttasálfræði við Íþróttafræðideild HR. 120 ECTS MSC í íþróttavísindum með áherslu á frammistöðugreiningu 30 ECTS Diplóma í styrk- og þrekþjálfun /// Kristoffer Henriksen is a sports psychologist and professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). He is also the head of the research department in sports sciences and a sports psychologist at Team Denmark, the institute responsible for elite sports in Denmark. His areas of interest are skill development, performance factors, and the psychosocial aspects of sports. Henriksen has made significant contributions to the discipline with his research on the professional approach to sports psychology services at Team Denmark. He has also put forward influential theories for a holistic approach to talent development, emphasising the environment in which athletes grow up. Daði Rafnsson talks to Henriksen about his research and work in this episode. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR). This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. All the interviews are in English, though some include a brief introduction in Icelandic. RU offers two types of programmes in sport psychology: 120 ECTS MSc in Sport Sciences with a focus on Sport Psychology30 ECTS Microcredentials in Sport Psychology, available both on-campus and online

53 min

03/25/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Chris Harwood

Í þessum þætti ræða Daði Rafnsson og Chris Harwood um áskoranir og tækifæri í markvissri sálrænni færniþjálfun. Chris Harwood er í fremstu röð meðal fræðimanna í íþróttasálfræði og starfar sem forstöðumaður rannsóknarmiðstöðvar íþrótta, heilsu og frammistöðuvísinda við Nottingham Trent háskólann í Bretlandi þar sem hann er jafnframt prófessor. Chris þróaði 5C aðferðafræðina sem er líklega útbreiddasta aðferðin til að kenna börnum, unglingum og foreldrum sálræna færniþjálfun. Hún byggir á kenningum um jákvæða og heildræna hæfileikamótun. Grunn c-ið er skuldbinding (commitment), svo koma samskipti (communication), einbeiting (concentration), sjálfsstjórn (control) og sjálfstraust (confidence), sem er afleiðing af því að taka ábyrgð á því að hugsa um og vinna markvisst í færninni. 5C eru byggð á fræðilegum grunni, eru auðskilin og sveigjanleg. Þannig hafa þau nýst sem kennsluaðferð, inngripsaðferð og foreldrafræðsla svo einhver dæmi séu tekin. Daði Rafnsson er doktorsnemi við sálfræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík og fagstjóri Afreskssviðs Menntaskólans í Kópavogi. Hann hefur víðtæka reynslu af því að starfa með þjálfurum, foreldrum og íþróttafólki á öllum stigum. Doktorsrannsókn hans snýr um markvissa þjálfun sálrænna þátta í knattspyrnu, en hann og Harwood ásamt samstarfsfólki þeirra hafa unnið í því að rannsaka og þróa aðferðir til að gera hana aðgengilega fyrir þjálfara, foreldra og íþróttafélög. Í þessum þætti ræða þeir um hvers vegna það gengur oft illa að koma sálrænni færniþjálfun að í íþróttafélögum og hvernig stjórnendur íþróttafélaga ættu að líta á hana sem hluta af heildrænni færniþjálfun á borð við styrktarþjálfun. RU Sport Psych Podcast er þáttasería innan Íþróttarabbs HR, sem er haldið úti af íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík. Í þessari syrpu er íþróttasálfræði skoðuð frá ýmsum sjónarhornum, þar sem kafað er bæði í fræðilega og hagnýta þætti greinarinnar. Markmið þáttarins er að dýpka skilning á íþróttasálfræði og miðla bæði fræðilegri og hagnýtri þekkingu. Tvær námsleiðir eru í boði í íþróttasálfræði við Íþróttafræðideild HR. 120 ECTS MSC í íþróttavísindum með áherslu á frammistöðugreiningu 30 ECTS Diplóma í styrk- og þrekþjálfun /// In this episode, Daði Rafnsson and Chris Harwood discuss the challenges and opportunities of targeted psychological skills training. Chris Harwood is a leading scholar in sports psychology and works as Director of the Centre for Sport, Health and Performance Sciences at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, where he is also a professor. Chris developed the 5C methodology, probably the most widespread method for teaching psychological skills training for children, adolescents and parents. It is based on theories of positive and holistic talent development. The basic C is commitment, followed by communication, concentration, control, and confidence, resulting from taking responsibility for thinking about and working systematically on the skill. The 5C's are based on theory, are easy to understand and flexible. In this way, they have been used as a teaching method, an intervention method and parental education, to name a few examples. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR). This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. All the interviews are in English, though some include a brief introduction in Icelandic. RU offers two types of programmes in sport psychology: 120 ECTS MSc in Sport Sciences with a focus on Sport Psychology30 ECTS Microcredentials in Sport Psychology, available both on-campus and online

52 min

03/19/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Carsten Hvid Larsen and Christian Thue Bjørndal

Í þessum þætti ræðir Daði Rafnsson við tvo reynslumikla fræðimenn á sviði hæfileikamótunar og íþróttasálfræði um snemmbundna afreksþjálfun og hvernig umhverfið hefur áhrif á íþróttafólk. Carsten Hvid Larsen er yfirsálfræðingur hjá danska knattspyrnusambandinu (DBU) og dósent við Háskólann í Suður-Danmörku. Rannsóknir hans beinast að andlegri heilsu, hæfileikamótun, afreksmenningu og sálfélagslegri færni afreksíþróttafólks. Hann hefur birt fjölda greina á sviði hagnýtrar íþróttasálfræði og hæfileikaþróunar, auk þess að ritstýra og skrifa bækur um núvitund og andlega heilsu í íþróttum. Carsten kennir einnig íþróttasálfræði á meistarastigi og hefur starfað með danska landsliðinu í knattspyrnu á stórmótum. Christian Thue Bjørndal er dósent við íþrótta- og félagsvísindadeild Norska íþróttaháskólans. Hann lauk doktorsgráðu frá sama skóla árið 2017 þar sem verkefni hans snerist um hæfileikamótun í norsku handboltaumhverfi. Rannsóknir hans snúast sérstaklega um félagsleg og menningarleg sjónarhorn og vistfræðilega nálgun á umhverfið sem íþróttafólk elst upp í. Auk fræðistarfa hefur hann víðtæka reynslu sem þjálfari í handbolta, bæði á unglinga- og afreksstigi, og er vottaður EHF Master Coach. RU Sport Psych Podcast er þáttasería innan Íþróttarabbs HR, sem er haldið úti af íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík. Í þessari syrpu er íþróttasálfræði skoðuð frá ýmsum sjónarhornum, þar sem kafað er bæði í fræðilega og hagnýta þætti greinarinnar. Markmið þáttarins er að dýpka skilning á íþróttasálfræði og miðla bæði fræðilegri og hagnýtri þekkingu. Tvær námsleiðir eru í boði í íþróttasálfræði við Íþróttafræðideild HR. 120 ECTS MSC í íþróttavísindum með áherslu á frammistöðugreiningu 30 ECTS Diplóma í styrk- og þrekþjálfun /// In this episode, Daði Rafnsson talks to two experienced scholars in talent development and sports psychology about early performance training and how the environment affects athletes. Carsten Hvid Larsen is a senior psychologist at the Danish Football Association (DBU) and an associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark. His research focuses on mental health, talent development, performance culture, and psychosocial skills of elite athletes. He has published numerous articles in applied sports psychology and skill development and edited and wrote books on mindfulness and mental health in sports. Carsten also teaches sports psychology at the master's level and has worked with the Danish national football team at major tournaments. Christian Thue Bjørndal is an associate professor at the Faculty of Sport and Social Sciences at the Norwegian University of Sport Sciences. He completed a PhD at the same school in 2017, where his project focused on talent development in the Norwegian handball environment. His research focuses on social and cultural perspectives and the ecological approach to the environment in which athletes grow up. In addition to academic work, he has extensive experience as a coach in handball, both at youth and elite level, and is a certified EHF Master Coach. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR). This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. All the interviews are in English, though some include a brief introduction in Icelandic. RU offers two types of programmes in sport psychology: 120 ECTS MSc in Sport Sciences with a focus on Sport Psychology30 ECTS Microcredentials in Sport Psychology, available both on-campus and online

1h 7m

03/19/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Chris Harwood and the 5C framework

Chris Harwood is the guest of the RU Sport Psych Podcas this time. He is a leading scholar in sports psychology and works as the director of the Research Centre for Sport, Health and Performance Sciences at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, where he is also a professor. Chris developed the 5C framework, the most widespread method for teaching psychological skills training for children, adolescents and parents. Daði Rafnsson is the host of this show. He is a doctoral student at the Department of Psychology at RU and a part-time lecturer in the Department of Sports Science. Chris has published over 160 academic articles, book chapters, and books. He is on the editorial board of many prestigious academic publications and has actively participated in international collaborations, including an Erasmus project that he has recently worked on with RU, ÍSÍ, and UMFÍ on psychological skills training for adolescents. Chris' research focuses on psychosocial factors that affect athletes' development, well-being, and performance. Including a positive approach from coaches, the supportive role of parents, and environmental factors that affect well-being and performance. Based on his experience and work with English football teams, he created the 5C methodology, which will be the focus of this section. The 5C framework is probably the most widely used method for teaching psychological skills training to children, adolescents, and parents. It is based on theories of positive and holistic skill development. The essential C is commitment, then comes communication, concentration, control and confidence, resulting from taking responsibility for thinking about and working purposefully on the skill. The 5Cs are based on a theoretical basis, are easy to understand and flexible. Thus, they have been used as a teaching method, an intervention method, and parent education, to name a few examples. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.

58 min

03/19/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Dr. Paul Wylleman

In this episode, we discuss the athlete's lifespan, from how children can be introduced to sports in a positive way to what characterizes good talent development, what it takes to succeed, and finally, what challenges lie ahead at the end of their careers. Paul Wylleman is a clinical psychologist and professor at the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. He is one of the world's leading scholars in research on the athlete's lifespan and a holistic approach to training and parenting. Dr. Wylleman has published on psychological skills, mental health and well-being, and multidisciplinary support for high-performance athletes and Olympians. He has worked as an expert for the Dutch and Belgian Olympic Federations, including as lead sports psychologist at the Olympic Games, and has advised countless other nations on building support networks for Olympic teams. Paul is a former European Association of Sport Psychologists president and has worked on various studies for the International Olympic Committee. The interview with Paul was recorded when he came to give a talk at the Icelandic Gymnastics Association's symposium on the protection and welfare of children, adolescents, and high-achieving athletes. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.

1h 4m

03/19/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast // William Low

We speak with William Low who is an assistant professor at Herion Watts University in Scotland. He is an expert on pressure training and a guest lecturer in the master’s program at Reykjavik University’s Department of Sport Science. Through pressure training, coaches and sports psychology experts work systematically to increase pressure in training to prepare for the challenges of competition. Daði Rafnsson speaks with William about his experience working with athletes and the military. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.

41 min

03/19/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Daniel Gould og Robert Weinberg

The guests of the RU Sport Psych Podcast at this time are professors Daniel Gould and Robert Weinberg. Weinberg and Gould are well-known for their work in sports psychology, and it is probably no exaggeration to say that they are among the most respected sports psychologists of all time. Both have been named to the top 10 list of the most influential sports psychologists in the United States. They have published countless academic articles in sports psychology and written numerous books. Weinberg and Gould are best known for being the authors of the Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology textbook, the most widely used textbook in sports psychology. Both have extensive experience working with athletes, coaches, and sports associations. The episode covers their careers in detail, and they share their experiences. Among other things, there is a discussion about what psychological skills those who want to go far in sports need to acquire, what psychological skills referees need to have, what is essential when working with athletes, and how sports psychology can help in business and life. Peter O'Donoghue, a professor at the Department of Sports Science, is discussing Weinberg and Gould. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you.

53 min

03/13/2025

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Katie Castle

Katie Castle is a Canadian psychologist who specializes in working with children and adolescents in sports. She has a background in gymnastics as an athlete and coach and uses it to help athletes find a balance between sports and private life. She presented her research on the negative psychological consequences of early attainment among young people at the FEPSAC Conference in 2024 and the Reykjavik International Games in 2025. In this episode, she talks to Daði Rafnsson about her research and how sports for children and teenagers in North America have changed dramatically in recent decades. RU Sport Psych Podcast is a series within RU Sports Chat (Íþróttarabb HR), hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Reykjavík University. This series explores sports psychology from various perspectives, delving into theoretical and practical aspects. Guests are experts in sports psychology, and most collaborate with the Department of Sports Science at RU, whether in teaching or research. The podcast aims to deepen the understanding of sports psychology and share scientific and applied knowledge that benefits the sports environment. Whether you are an athlete, coach, researcher, or simply an enthusiast of sports psychology, the RU Sport Psych Podcast is the platform for you. /// Katie Castle er kanadískur sálfræðingur sem sérhæfir sig í að vinna með börnum og unglingum í íþróttum. Hún hefur bakgrunn í fimleikum sem íþróttakona og þjálfari og nýtir sér hann til að hjálpa íþróttafólki að finna jafnvægi milli íþrótta og einkalífs. Hún kynnti rannsókn sína á neikvæðum sálrænum afleiðingum snemmbærrar afreksvæðingar meðal ungmenna á ráðstefnu evrópskra íþróttasálfræðinga árið 2024, og á ráðstefnu Reykjavik International Games árið 2025. Í þessum þætti ræðir hún við Daða Rafnsson um rannsóknir sínar og hvernig íþróttir barna og unglinga í Norður Ameríku hafa gerbreyst á undanförnum áratugum. RU Sport Psych Podcast er þáttasería innan Íþróttarabbs HR, sem er haldið úti af íþróttafræðideild Háskólans í Reykjavík. Í þessari syrpu er íþróttasálfræði skoðuð frá ýmsum sjónarhornum, þar sem kafað er bæði í fræðilega og hagnýta þætti greinarinnar. Viðmælendur eru sérfræðingar á sviði íþróttasálfræði sem eru flestir í samstarfi við íþróttafræðideild HR, hvort sem er í kennslu eða rannsóknum. Markmið þáttarins er að dýpka skilning á íþróttasálfræði og miðla bæði fræðilegri og hagnýtri þekkingu. Hvort sem þú ert íþróttamaður, þjálfari, fræðimaður eða einfaldlega áhugamaður íþróttsálfræði, þá er RU Sport Psych Pod eitthvað fyrir þig.

27 min

RU Sport Psych Podcast

Episodes

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Dr. Geir Jordet

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Daði Rafnsson

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Dr. Peter Haberl and Dr. Göran Kenttä

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Kristoffer Henriksen

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Chris Harwood

RU Sport Psych Podcast: Carsten Hvid Larsen and Christian Thue Bjørndal

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Chris Harwood and the 5C framework

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Dr. Paul Wylleman

RU Sport Psych Podcast // William Low

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Daniel Gould og Robert Weinberg

RU Sport Psych Podcast // Katie Castle

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