Where is the evidence in our sport psychology practice? A United Kingdom perspective on the underpinnings of action.
Practitioners place the importance of engaging in evidence-based practice at the forefront of issues regarding the provision of applied sport psychology. Accordingly, the present study sought to contextualize the process of theory–research–practice. Specifically, 4 attentional-based techniques established within the sport psychology literature were depicted as applied scenarios and presented as a survey task. Experienced United Kingdom–based practitioners (n = 14) and individuals currently undergoing training (n = 14) were recruited to ascertain their theoretical and mechanistic knowledge and whether the techniques were being used in the applied environment. Results suggested that application of the techniques, in addition to theoretical and mechanistic knowledge, may decrease from trainee to experienced practitioner. The study highlights the need for an increase in research designed to be effective in the applied setting and that addresses the needs of sport psychology practitioners if our discipline is to advance and remain evidence based.