Psychology and Physical Activity

Psychological Benefits of Physical Activity Improves health-related quality of life. Improves one’s mood. Alleviates symptoms associated with mild depression. Reduces anxiety. Aids in managing stress. Enhances self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence. Offers opportunities for affiliation with others.

Psychological Benefits of Physical Activity Offers opportunities to experience “peak” moments. Provides recreation and a change of pace. Offers an opportunity for individuals to challenge themselves and strive for mastery. Offers creative and aesthetic experiences. Increasing recognition of physical activity as a therapeutic modality.

Exercise and Adherence Estimates reveal that nearly 50% of patients fail to comply with their medical treatment. Adherence to supervised exercise programs ranges from 50% to 80%. Only 30% of individuals who begin an exercise program will be exercising at the end of 3 years. What can be done to promote continued involvement?

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Classic learning theories – Learning a new behavior is achieved by altering the many small behaviors that compose the overall behavior. – Break behavior down into smaller goals to be achieved. – Work incrementally toward goal. – Reinforcement is important; provide rewards and incentives (both immediate and long-range).

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Health belief model – Adoption of a health behavior depends on the person’s perception of four factors: Severity of potential illness Susceptibility to illness Benefits of taking action Barriers to action

Exercise and Adherence: Intervention Models Transtheoretical model “stages of change”: Precontemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Termination – Decisional balance (weighing the pros and cons of the change) – Self-efficacy (confidence about his/her abilities in a situation) – Target the intervention to the individual’s current stage.

Exercise Dropout Low self-motivation Depression Low self-efficacy Denial of seriousness of one’s health condition Obesity Type A behavior pattern Smokers Blue-collar workers u Perception that exercise has few health benefits u Inactive lifestyle Sedentary occupations u Lack of social support u Family problems u Interference of job-related responsibilities u Inconvenience u High-intensity exercise

Exercise Adherence Educational approaches u Increase participants knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity and exercise. Behavioral approaches u Reinforcement u Contracting u Self-monitoring u Goal-setting u Enhancement of self-efficacy