The Oxford Handbook of Exercise Psychology

Awareness of the importance of exercise and physical activity to optimal physical and mental health has never been greater. It is widely acknowledged that physical inactivity is a leading cause of death, yet statistics show less than 50% of Americans participate in regular physical activity. This information highlights the public health challenge of increasing participation in physical activity to enhance physical health and to buoy the psychological benefits associated with physical activity. The Oxford Handbook of Exercise and Psychology is an authoritative and comprehensive presentation of the breadth and depth of empirical contributions utilizing state-of-the-science theories and approaches in exercise psychology. Chapters are authored by leading investigators across the globe who have made significant scientific contributions addressing the behavioral aspects of physical activity. Sections of the book address the effects of physical activity on mental health; knowledge gathered utilizing psychobiological perspectives; behavioral factors that impact exercise motivation; scientific contributions addressing the physical activity benefits with special populations, including individuals with physical disabilities, older adults and cancer patients; and promising areas for additional investigation. Each chapter presents a summary of scientific advancements in the topic area as a foundation for future investigation. Fueled by a broad range of disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches, the field of exercise psychology is growing, and this comprehensive handbook will be the perfect resource for students, researchers, and physicians interested in exercise motivation and the mental health benefits of physical activity.

Autorentext

Edmund O. Acevedo, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair, Department of Health and Human Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Inhalt

Contents I. Context, Issues, and Perspectives in Exercise Psychology 1. Exercise Psychology: Understanding the Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity and the Public Health Challenges of Inactivity Edmund O. Acevedo 2. Physical Activity Epidemiology Ian Janssen II. Exercise Psychology and Mental Health 3. The Ultimate Tranquilizer? Exercise and Its Influence on Anxiety Steven J. Petruzzello 4. Body Image and Exercise Kathleen A. Martin Ginis, Rebecca L. Bassett, and Catherine Conlin 5. Physical Activity and Cognitive Function: Theoretical Bases, Mechanisms, and Moderators Jennifer L. Etnier and Jeffrey D. Labban 6. Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life Brian C. Focht 7. Physical Activity as a 'stellar' positive psychology intervention Kate Hefferon and Nanette Mutrie III. Exercise Psychology and Psychobiological Perspectives 8. Psychoneuroendocrinology and Physical Activity Mark Hamer 9. Muscle Pain During and Following Exercise Christopher D. Black 10. Cardiovascular Health Implications of Combined Mental and Physical Challenge Edmund O. Acevedo, Heather E. Webb, & Chun-Jung Huang IV. Psychology of Exercise Motivation 11. Personality and Physical Activity Ryan E. Rhodes and Leila A. Pfaeffli 12. Psychosocial Influence Martin S. Hagger 13. Theoretical Approaches to Exercise Promotion David M. Williams & Bess H. Marcus 14. Theoretical Approaches to Physical Activity Intervention Claudio R. Nigg and Karly S. Geller 15. Social Cognitive Models Ryan E. Rhodes and Rachel Mark 16. Exercise is a many-splendored thing but for some it does not feel so splendid: Staging a resurgence of hedonistic ideas in the quest to understand exercise behavior Panteleimon Ekkekakis and Manolis Dafermos V. Exercise Psychology in Special Populations 17. Exercise Psychology and Physical Disability Jeffrey J. Martin 18. Physical Activity and Exercise in Older Adults Louis Bherer 19. Children's Motivation for Involvement in Physical Activity Robert J. Brustad 20. Exercise Psychology and Children's Intelligence Phillip D. Tomporowski, Jack A. Naglieri, and Kate Lambourne 21. Cancer Patients Amy E. Speed-Andrews and Kerry S. Courneya VI. Exercise Psychology: On the Horizon and into the Future 22. Psychology of Resistance Exercise Daniel B. Hollander and Robert R. Kraemer 23. Tai Chi as an Alternative Mode of Exercise Activity for Older Adults Fuzhong Li