Module SPRT2271: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT2271: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Sport Psychology

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To examine the psychological principles that underpin exercise and physical activity 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 and physical activity participation (motivation; attitude theories; theory of reasoned action; theory of planned behaviour; transtheoretical theory, etc.);
• Measurement issues in applied exercise psychology;
• Psychological benefits of physical activity: mechanisms & hypotheses; self esteem issues with exercise; mental health & well-being;
• Psychological interventions to address behaviour change;
• Understanding determinants of physical activity among sub-groups within the population (e.g., older adults, children, those with depression and/or anxiety);
• 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 and physical activity 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, including public health promotion.

• Compare and contrast psychological theories and models that underpin exercise and physical activity participation;
• Analyse and discuss relevant information in a small group (seminar) environment;
• The application of theory to practice, particularly in the public health context;
• 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 prepare for their summative by investigating the determinants of inactivity, selecting appropriate measurement techniques and collecting, analysing and interpreting data;
• 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;
• Students will have the opportunity to attend a one-to-one tutorial with the module leader concerning the course content. This is designed to specifically support students with the reflective element of their case study, as well as to challenge their critical understanding of the course content more generally.
• 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 1000 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