Enhancing performance through cognitive and behavior skills training.
TCU’s Sport & Exercise Psychology Lab aims to investigate psychological factors related
to participation and performance in sports, exercise and achievement-driven activities,
emphasizing the integration of scientific and practical knowledge.
Students within the lab explore ways to improve human performance and assess the psychophysiological
aspects of technology’s impact on physical activity. They are also involved in various
applied sport psychology research endeavors.
Trocchio is the director of the sport and exercise psychology lab. By actively involving
students in her research ventures, she provides them with a unique opportunity to
gain hands-on experience and develop their skills. With her guidance and mentorship,
students are able to flourish and achieve their full potential.
Trocchio is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) and approved mentor through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). She provides mental performance training for athletes and exercisers of all
ages.
Trocchio holds a doctorate in educational psychology with a focus on sport and exercise
psychology from Florida State University. She also earned an master's in sport and
exercise psychology from Barry University and a bachelor's in psychology from the
University of Florida.
Ph.D. candidate in Health Sciences with an emphasis in sport and exercise psychology
focuses her research on uncovering strategies to inspire individuals to adopt physical
activity and exploring the identity development of athletes, especially those transitioning
out of sports. Sarah’s goal is to become a faculty member at a university and become
a CMPC.
Second-year master’s student in the sport and exercise psychology lab focusing on
understanding the relationship first-year college students have between exercise and
mental health after retiring from competitive sports. Caroline’s goal is to get a
doctorate in clinical psychology and become a sport psychologist.
Second-year Ph.D. student in the Health Sciences program with an emphasis in sport
and exercise psychology whose research interests lie in how to best aid esports athletes
and video game players to increase their physical activity habits and better their
proficiency in their video game performance. Her goal is to become a faculty member
at a university.
First year Ph.D. student with a Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis
in sport and exercise psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science with
a minor in Psychology from TCU. Rebekah’s thesis investigated the effects of a four-week
digital mindfulness intervention on a rowing task, specifically, the enjoyment of
exercise and attentional allocation. Her goals are to obtain a doctorate degree to
become a faculty member and become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC).
Lab Equipment
The Sport & Exercise Psychology Lab utilizes state-of-the-art equipment including:
Aviron Interactive Rower
Meta Quest 2 (virtual reality headsets)
Thought Technology Biofeedback Peak Performance System
Wearable Fitness Devices
Laptops with Docking Stations
Current Projects
How to make exercise more enjoyable utilizing virtual reality, exergaming, mindfulness
and music
High school athletes’ transition out of sport
Physical activity behaviors in adult video game players