Advances in Sport Psychology or Coping with Chronic Heartburn

Advances in Sport Psychology

Author: Thelma S Horn

The updated third edition of Advances in Sport Psychology offers a view of the latest research in the field of sport psychology. The text is written by 34 of the field's most prolific researchers and scholars, including Maureen Weiss, Shane Murphy, and Albert Carron. These contributors extend the boundaries that have defined the field and provide a clear direction for future research.

This third edition has been completely revised to reflect the advances that have occurred in the field within the past several years. The text provides readers with a complete picture of current research and emerging topics in sport psychology while challenging researchers to examine the factors that keep this discipline growing. Advances in Sport Psychology, Third Edition, provides a fresh look at sport psychology with these features:

• Four new chapters on qualitative research methods, achievement goal theories, self-confidence, and family and peer influences
  
• Significant revisions of the second-edition chapters, along with more concise overviews of individual topics
  
• An analysis and synthesis of the state of knowledge for each topic and a discussion of future research directions

The text focuses on the most important and active areas of current research, which recognize the merging of individual and socioenvironmental factors in making sense of sport performance and behavior. Each chapter includes a definition of terms, an explanation of the chapter's scope, and an outline of the sections. The author then provides a review of the available research and theory on the chapter's main topic, analyzes the state of knowledge in the area, and devotes significantspace to future research directions.

The book is divided into four parts. Part I offers a comprehensive introduction to the field, including definitions, history, and research paradigms and methodologies. Part II explores individual characteristics that affect sport participants' behavior, including self-perceptions, attributional patterns and perceptions of control, motivational orientations, and achievement goal perspectives. Part III explores socioenvironmental factors that affect sport participants' behaviors. Part IV delves into the research and theory concerning intervention techniques used for enhancing performance and modifying athletes' behaviors, including imagery and mental rehearsal, attentional processes, goal setting, and flow and peak performance.

Advances in Sport Psychology, Third Edition, offers a new and thorough understanding of where sport psychology has been, where it is now, and where it is headed. This text will help students prepare and conduct their own research, and it will be a great reference for professionals who want to stay on the cutting-edge of the field.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Christopher J. Graver, PhD(Madigan Army Medical Center)
Description:As can be seen by the proliferation of books in this area in the last few years, sport psychology is a growing field. This book focuses on psychological factors and individual psychological differences that play a role in competitive sports. Previous editions were published in 2002 and 1992.
Purpose:This edition updates the reader on the current literature, and begins to take a look at the interaction between socioenvironmental factors and individual differences.
Audience:According to the editor, this book is intended for graduate students enrolled in research-oriented sport psychology programs.
Features:The four major sections include an introduction to sport psychology, individual differences, socioenvironmental factors, and psychological skills and intervention techniques. Each major section begins with an introduction to the topic. The chapters also have brief introductions, well labeled sections, concluding paragraphs, and future research directions. The topics are relevant for students, including the early discussions of research methodology. Later chapters discuss self-confidence, motivation, and achievement orientation. Group performance, social influences, and coaching effectiveness are also covered. These topics are intertwined with the concept of sports performance and each chapter provides a building block in the sport psychology process. Empirically grounded suggestions are made for enhancing performance that could easily be taken from the classroom to the playing field. Illustrations, figures, and tables summarize and helpconsolidate the learning process. The abundant references clearly have been updated. The only complaint I have is that they are listed at the end of the book, instead of being readily available at the end of each chapter, requiring a lot of extra page turning.
Assessment:This would be a sensible choice for instructors as a text for graduate students. It is well written in an interesting and informative manner. The references are plentiful and current, and the organization makes it easy to teach in sections. Additionally, the wide array of topics with practical guidance enhances its learning quality. It would be worth updating to this third edition.

Booknews

The contributions collected in this graduate level text are sophisticated analyses of individual differences and sport behavior (things you wish your high school gym teacher knew), social- environmental influences, and intervention techniques--imagery, attention development, goal setting. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Books about: Is It Hot in Here Or Is It Me The Complete Guide to Menopause or Alzheimers Disease

Coping with Chronic Heartburn: What You Need to Know about Acid Reflux and GERD

Author: Elaine Fantle Shimberg

An estimated 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from Chronic Heartburn, also known as Acid Reflux or GERD. Many people simply dismiss this condition--the symptoms of which can include sleeplessness, chronic sore throat, heartburn, hoarseness, and dental problems--as something to learn to live with. Recent studies, however, have shown that GERD can have serious effects such as an increased risk for esophagitis, ulcers of the throat, and even cancer of the esophagaus, catapulting this condition into the media spotlight.

One of the first books to demystify this condition for the lay reader, Coping with chronic Heartburn offers help, relief, and advice to sufferers of GERD, including:

*When to consult a doctor
*Which tests you may have to undergo
*Effective self-care treatments such as dietary change and over the counter medications
*Promising alternative and herbal treatments
*Details on the latest prevention and treatment developments, including a new surgical procedure with a 96% success rate.

What People Are Saying

Daniel G. Amen
Coping with Chronic Heartburn is a wonderfully practical book that will help many readers. It is comprehensive and written in an accessible, down-to-earth style. It is filled with great information and should be read by everyone who suffers from acid reflux and GERD.
— (Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life)