KU Sport & Exercise Psychology Lab
Mission & Vision
The KU Sport & Exercise Psychology Laboratory (KUSEPL) is devoted to research and service that helps individuals optimize their physical activity experiences. Research from the KUSEPL employs an Achievement Goal Perspective Theory and caring framework to examine how participants’ perceptions of a task-involving (one focused on each person’s personal effort, improvement, and cooperation) and caring climate (where each person involved is treated with mutual kindness and respect) impact their enjoyment, desire to continue their sport participation, and psychological responses including empathy, emotional regulation, hope and happiness. The KUSEPL regularly conducts evaluations of physical activity programs, provides training to coaches and professionals working in sport and physical activity settings on how to create task-involving and caring climates, and delivers physical activity/positive life skills and mental skills training programming to participants of all ages.
Research Team
The lab members include faculty, graduate and undergraduate students studying and working in the field of sport and exercise psychology. View the list of KUSEPL alumni.
Mary Fry is a professor in sport and exercise psychology and is the Director of the KU Sport and Exercise Psychology Lab. She oversees the graduate program in psychology of physical activity. She came to KU in 1997 from the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on creating a caring and... more
