Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being / Edition 1

by Stuart J.H. Biddle, Ken Fox, Steve Boutcher

Overview

The 'feel-good' effect of physical activity is widely reported among participants. Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being represents a research consensus on the relationship between physical activity and aspects of mental health, providing an overview of the case for the role of exercise in the promotion of psychological well-being. Topics covered include:

* anxiety and stress
* depression
* mood and emotion
* self-perceptions and self-esteem
* cognitive functioning and ageing
* psychological dysfunction

This book is invaluable reading for students and researchers working in the exercise, sport and health sciences, and for health and clinical psychologists. It is also a foundation text for health promotion and health service professionals, particularly those working in the area of mental health.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415234399
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/05/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stuart J.H. Biddle, Ken Fox, Steve Boutcher

Table of Contents

List of figures, List of tables, List of contributors, Acknowledgements, 1 The case for exercise in the promotion of mental health and psychological well-being, 2 Physical activity, anxiety, and stress, 3 The relationship between physical activity and clinically defined depression, 4 Emotion, mood and physical activity, 5 The effects of exercise on self-perceptions and self-esteem, 6 Cognitive performance, fitness, and ageing, 7 Physical activity as a source of psychological dysfunction, 8 The way forward for physical activity and the promotion of psychological well-being, References, Index

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Kathy Silgailis, PhD (William Paterson University)
Description: This book reviews the current research on the effects of physical activity on anxiety and stress, depression, mood and affect, self-esteem, and cognitive functioning as well as the negative psychological consequences of exercise participation. Guidelines for implementing exercise as a mental health promotion strategy are also provided.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide research evidence to support incorporating exercise interventions into mental health services.
Audience: According to the authors, this book is an important resource for students and researchers in sport and exercise science and practitioners concerned with improving mental health.
Features: Chapters in this book cover stress and anxiety, depression, mood and affect, self-esteem, cognitive functioning, and exercise dependence. The chapter on the effects of exercise on self-perceptions and self-esteem is especially well developed. Research findings are summarized in easy to read tables and each chapter concludes with "What we know" and "What we need to know" sections. Specific guidelines for health and exercise practitioners are also provided.
Assessment: This is an important resource for sport and exercise scientists as well as health practitioners for several reasons. First, this book presents one of the most current and extensive reviews of research on the psychological effects of physical activity. Second, because the material in each chapter is organized according to logical headings and research findings are summarized in tables, the information is user friendly. Third, the authors go beyond just stating what is known by proposing what needs to be known related to each psychological effect of physical activity. Lastly, the book provides a valuable integration of theory and practice. An interesting discussion about the difficulties facing health professionals is included in the last chapter.

Doody's Review Service

Reviewer: Kathy Silgailis, PhD(William Paterson University)
Description: This book reviews the current research on the effects of physical activity on anxiety and stress, depression, mood and affect, self-esteem, and cognitive functioning as well as the negative psychological consequences of exercise participation. Guidelines for implementing exercise as a mental health promotion strategy are also provided.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide research evidence to support incorporating exercise interventions into mental health services.
Audience: According to the authors, this book is an important resource for students and researchers in sport and exercise science and practitioners concerned with improving mental health.
Features: Chapters in this book cover stress and anxiety, depression, mood and affect, self-esteem, cognitive functioning, and exercise dependence. The chapter on the effects of exercise on self-perceptions and self-esteem is especially well developed. Research findings are summarized in easy to read tables and each chapter concludes with "What we know" and "What we need to know" sections. Specific guidelines for health and exercise practitioners are also provided.
Assessment: This is an important resource for sport and exercise scientists as well as health practitioners for several reasons. First, this book presents one of the most current and extensive reviews of research on the psychological effects of physical activity. Second, because the material in each chapter is organized according to logical headings and research findings are summarized in tables, the information is user friendly. Third, the authors go beyond just stating what is known by proposing what needs to be known related to each psychological effect of physical activity. Lastly, the book provides a valuable integration of theory and practice. An interesting discussion about the difficulties facing health professionals is included in the last chapter.

Biddle (exercise and sport psychology, Loughborough U.) leads UK peers in this eight essay review of research confirming the widely-reported "high" of exercise and its implications for health promotion. Includes a summary table of controlled trials on exercise's effects on self-esteem and physical self-perception, and extensive references. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews