ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the concepts and definitions of goal setting with an emphasis on goal-setting theory and methods before introducing three case studies applying goal setting to sport, exercise and performance domains. Goal-setting theory states that a specific, challenging goal creates high performance. Several moderator variables emerge within goal-setting theory to affect the goal-performance relationship. Setting goals, therefore, forms part of the performance improvement equation with goal achievement a critical step within it. Goal setting represents a cognitive strategy available to athletes, exercisers and performers to improve performance and psychological well-being. The goal terms might confuse those reading organizational and sport psychology where goal-setting research combines goal orientation research. Goal setting represents a successful and robust strategy for raising performance in the workplace and in sport settings. Business and sport value performance outcomes such as increased output; however, sport tends to emphasize processes over productivity. Researchers and practitioners continually refine the principles of goal setting for sports people.
