A commentary on ‘The ecological dynamics of cognizant action in sport’ by Araújo et al. (2025)

Abstract

In the 25th anniversary issue of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Araújo et al. (2025) offer a new theory of the ecological dynamics of cognizant action in sport. The approach builds on previous fundamental assumptions of ecological dynamics, where performance is conceptualised as the process of perceiving and acting, thereby avoiding the need for the brain as a mediator. The authors extend concepts of ecological dynamics with an increased focus on the intentionality of this process and the role of the performer's skill, suggesting that a skilled performer is someone who tends to consistently achieve the goal of a given task in a specific socio-cultural setting, and ‘performance’ is the process of perceiving and acting guided by intentionality that leads to a movement that achieves this skill under a given set of constraints. In this commentary, I aim to provide a concise summary of my understanding of what this theory of cognizant action adds to previous approaches, discuss the fundamental differences between this approach and others in the field, and how, despite these differences, it offers similar methodological implications. I offer some thoughts on how new technologies could be utilised to achieve these methodological goals and ultimately argue that theoretical debate and diverse perspectives may be a sign of a healthy field.