Overview
Times have changed! Gone are the days when most children walked or cycled to school and played in empty streets, and adults undertook physically active jobs. We are in a technologically advanced society in which physical activity has been removed from our daily lives. At the same times we have recognised the importance of physical activity for health and how clearly low levels of physical activity have been associated with major health problems, including heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes and psychological ill health.
Psychology of Physical Activity summerises key findings on what determines whether people start, maintain or stop exercise and physical activity, what psychological benefits might accrue from an active lifestyle, and what interventions have been tested to increase physical activity levels.
Extensive discussion centres on:
* motivation
* attitudes
* well-being
* depression and mental illness
* clinical populations
* interventions
* researchconsensus.
Interventions are addressed in terms of strategies for individuals, such as stages of change and counselling approaches, and strategies aimed at wider organisational and community settings, including schools and the workplace. Psychology of Physical Activity adopts an 'evidence based approach' and is aimed at second year and above undergraduates and post-graduates in exercise and sports science; health psychology students within psychology degree programmes; health professionals needing background information.