Module SPRT2271: PSYCHOLOGY OF EXERCISE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Department: Applied Social Sciences (Sport)

SPRT2271: PSYCHOLOGY OF EXERCISE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Sport Psychology

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To examine the psychological principles that underpin exercise participation;
• To develop an understanding of current issues in exercise psychology (e.g. the measurement of self-reported physical activity; optimal design and delivery of public health programmes);
• To consider the relationships between exercise and mental health, well-being, and quality of life;
• To identify factors that may affect physical activity, with the application of theory among different populations (e.g. young and older people, obese individuals, etc.);
• Understand the harmful psychological problems associated with chronic exercise participation (e.g. exercise addiction);
• Explain the work of the exercise profession to promote physical activity, and address exercise adherence issues from a public health perspective.

Content

• Psychological theories that underpin exercise participation (exercise motivation; attitude theories; theory of reasoned action; theory of planned behaviour; transtheoretical theory, etc.);
• Measurement issues in applied exercise psychology;
• Psychological benefits of exercise: mechanisms & hypotheses; self esteem issues with exercise; mental health & well-being;
• Psychological interventions to address behaviour change;
• Understanding determinants of physical activity among people with special needs;
• Effects of chronic exercise on well-being;
• The exercise professional: the prediction & measurement of exercise adherence; promotion of exercise at the individual & community levels.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a critical understanding of theories that underpin exercise participation and behaviour change;
• Develop an appreciation of measurement design issues in exercise psychology;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the exercise and mental health relationship;
• Develop an understanding of the critical issues concerning physical activity promotion in a range of settings.

• Compare and contrast psychological theories and models that underpin exercise participation;
• Analyse and discuss relevant information in a small group (seminar) environment;
• The application of theory to practice;
• The use and interpretation of psychological inventories to measure constructs of exercise participation and physical activity.

• Reading, critiquing and presenting an evidence base;
• Analyse and solve problems;
• Present data and design interventions;
• Time management and independent learning
• Use information technology.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, seminars/workshops, independent study;
• Lectures will introduce students to the basic concepts & key theories underpinning exercise participation;
• Seminars / Workshops will include interactive group activities where students will discuss the relative merits of specific theories, assessment tools and empirical research;
• Independent study: in addition to timetabled contact, students will be required to invest time in directed reading, research activities, seminar preparation & study tasks
• A formative essay will allow students to review the current physical activity data for the UK, and to discuss trends of inactivity across different age groups. This will service as an important context to the wider focus of the module;
• A summative case study will allow students to investigate an aspect of physical inactivity; select appropriate measurement techniques; collect, analyse and interpret data; and produce appropriate recommendations for intervention, that are theoretically derived, and supported with a research evidence base;
• A summative exam tests the breadth and range of understanding and application of the learning outcomes for this module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1 x 1500 words essay (Optional).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University