https://tidsskrift.dk/sjsep <p>Scandinavian countries provide a particular context for sport and exercise psychology due to the Scandinavian welfare model that provides different living and sporting conditions compared to many other countries. Research conducted in this context is unique but can inspire the world. The purpose of the Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SJSEP) is twofold. First, we aim to collect and disseminate knowledge and experiences from around the world but with particular relevance for Scandinavia to researchers, practitioners, athletes, coaches, and others with an interest in sport and exercise psychology in Scandinavia. Second, we aim to inspire the world by open access dissemination of ideas, research, and practical examples from Scandinavia.</p> <p>SJSEP is a sport and exercise psychology journal. Sport and exercise psychology is a field that focuses on the study of psychological factors that influence, and are influenced by, participation and performance in sports, exercise, and other physical activities. It encompasses a wide range of topics including motivation, performance enhancement, mental health, team dynamics, sport environments, and the psychological benefits of physical activity. Practitioners work with athletes, coaches, and teams to improve mental well-being and performance, as well as with individuals to encourage regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices.</p> <p>Sport and exercise psychology shares borders with sport psychiatry, physical education and sport pedagogy, but SJSEP aims to stay within the borders of sport and exercise psychology.</p> <p>SJSEP welcomes different types of papers, including empirical research papers, scientific reviews, conceptual papers (see the 2024 editorial) and advanced applied case studies.</p> <p><strong>Open access policy</strong></p> <p>This journal provides instant open access based on the principle that free public access to research supports the global exchange of knowledge.</p> Dansk Idrætspsykologisk Forum en-US Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2596-741X https://tidsskrift.dk/sjsep/article/view/149077 <p style="font-weight: 400;">The complexity which characterizes elite-level handball imposes great demands on the player to practice varied skills and presents a high training load, consequently increasing the risk of overtraining and injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate injured elite female handball players who had returned to active play at the elite level, assessing their perception and experience of social support in the rehabilitation process. Nine elite female players in the Norwegian Elite League (Rema-1000 league) who had suffered an injury that restricted their sport participation for a mean recovery period of 46 weeks were interviewed. The findings show that each of the groups (coach, physiotherapists, teammates, and family and friends) provided different types of social support, yet they were all considered crucial for optimal rehabilitation. In various ways, the support the players received helped them feel part of the team, motivated, and optimally challenged to develop as handball players and to feel safe and cared for during the rehabilitation process. Based on the results, we argue that coaches should be aware of the positive consequences of sufficient social support during the rehabilitation process.</p> Lina Marie Johansen Torvik Nils Petter Aspvik Stig Arve Sæther Rune Høigaard Copyright (c) 2025 Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2025-04-08 2025-04-08 7 10 18 10.7146/sjsep.v7i.149077 https://tidsskrift.dk/sjsep/article/view/150889 <p>Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) appears to be ubiquitous in sport, becoming a dominant approach to sport psychology in Scandinavia. Yet most resources are typically outside the academic literature. Therefore, aside from case study reports, little is known about how ACT can be adopted as a psychotherapeutic approach to sport psychology delivery. This paper provides professional practice insights into the application of ACT in sport over and above what can be typically portrayed in research studies. We outline how sport psychology practitioners can introduce ACT to sport settings, consider the delivery of ACT via different modalities (individual consultations, brief and single session interventions, and workshops), and discuss assessing the effectiveness of ACT in sport. We hope this paper encourages sport psychologists to adopt ACT in their work.</p> Sam Wood Martin J. Turner Copyright (c) 2025 Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2025-04-08 2025-04-08 7 1 9 10.7146/sjsep.v7i.150889