Examining the use of experience sampling methods in sport psychology research: a scoping review

Experience sampling methods (ESMs) allow researchers to capture the variability in momentary human experiences by collecting repeated self-report measures within or across days. Real-time fluctuations in psychological processes, which are commonly distorted by retrospective bias in traditional survey designs, can be more accurately recorded using this approach. ESMs have been widely adopted in health and exercise psychology research, with more recent, sporadic use in the sport context. Given the growing interest in ESMs and their potential impact on the field, this scoping review aimed to characterize the use of ESMs in sport psychology research.

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched four databases for studies conducted in the context of sport, measured a psychological construct, and used ESMs (including daily diaries, ecological momentary assessments, and ambulatory assessments).

The search yielded 1,474 studies, of which 73 were included. The included studies primarily focused on the experiences of sport participants, with limited representation of coaches, parents, or spectators. Most employed daily or twice-daily sampling using fixed or event-contingent schedules, whereas fewer used "traditional" ESM designs (multiple signals per day delivered using semi-random schedules). Studies predominantly examined constructs related to stress and emotion, particularly appraisal and coping pro- cesses. Other thematic research areas included recovery from training, group dynamics, motivation, spectator experiences, comparisons of activity experiences, and medical symptoms.

Given the limited use of ESMs and narrow focus on specific contexts, designs, and topics, continued investigation is warranted to better understand critical momentary experiences in sport.