Psychology of Physical Activity

The positive benefits of physical activity for physical and mental health are now widely acknowledged, yet levels of physical inactivity continue to be a major concern throughout the world. Understanding the psychology of physical activity has therefore become an important issue for scientists, health professionals and policy-makers alike as they address the challenge of behaviour change. Psychology of Physical Activity provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the fundamentals of exercise psychology, from mental health, to theories of motivation and adherence, and to the design of successful interventions for increasing participation. Now publishing in a fully revised, updated and expanded fourth edition, Psychology of Physical Activity is still the only textbook to offer a full survey of the evidence base for theory and practice in exercise psychology, and the only textbook that explains how to interpret the quality of the research evidence. As the field continues to grow rapidly, the new edition expands the behavioural science content of numerous important topics, including physical activity and cognitive functioning, automatic and affective frameworks for understanding physical activity involvement, new interventions designed to increase physical activity (including use of new technologies), and sedentary behaviour. A full companion website offers useful features to help students and lecturers get the most out of the book during their course, including multiple-choice revision questions, PowerPoint slides and a test bank of additional learning activities. Psychology of Physical Activity is the most authoritative, engaging and up-to-date book on exercise psychology currently available. It is essential reading for all students working in behavioural medicine, as well as the exercise and health sciences.

Stuart J.H. Biddle is Professor of Physical Activity and Health, and Director of the Centre for Health Research at the University of Southern Queensland, near Brisbane, Australia. Nanette Mutrie is Chair of Physical Activity for Health and Director of the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Trish Gorely is Professor of Physical Activity for Health in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland. Guy Faulkner is Chair (Professor) in Applied Public Health and Head of the Population Physical Activity (Pop PA) Lab in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Section 1 1. Introduction and Setting the Scene Section 2 2. Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being 3. Physical Activity and Self-Esteem 4. Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning 5. Physical Activity and Clinical Depression 6. Physical Activity and Other Mental Health Challenges: Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Substance Use Disorders 7. Physical Activity Correlates, Determinants, and Barriers Section 3 8. Common Theories 1 - Social Cognitive and Motivational Approaches 9. Common Theories 2 - Stage-Based Approaches 10. Automatic and Dual-Process Approaches Section 4 11. Physical Activity Interventions: Planning and Design 12. Physical Activity Interventions for Young People 13. Physical Activity Interventions for Adults and Older Adults Section 5 14. Psychology of Sedentary Behaviour Section 6 15. Commentary and Recommendations