EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY:Special Populations, Clinical Patients

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Lesson 39

EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

Documentation of the psychological benefits of regular exercise has led to the inclusion of "lack of

exercise" as a fourth factor for heart disease that can be modified or controlled by the individual. The other

three risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Among other things, regular

physical exercise helps lower cholesterol, decreases the percentage of body fat, mediates the effects of

diabetes, reduces weight, and lowers blood pressure.

Over the next four lectures we will be looking at exercise psychology in great detail. Will be discussing the

following topics related to exercise psychology:

Psychological benefits of exercise

Theoretical explanations for the relationship between exercise and improved mental health

Exercise adherence and determinants

Theories of exercise behavior

Fitness as a moderator of life stress

The immune system, cancer, HIV and exercise

Social physique anxiety

Exercise addiction

Eating disorders

Psychological Benefits of Exercise

A large body of literature has been amassed that supports the position that regular exercise leads to

improved psychological affect. Improved psychological affect is manifested in the form of a reduction in

negative affect (e.g., anxiety and depression) and an increase in positive affect (e.g., self-efficacy, vigor, well-

being).

Exercise in many cases is as effective as psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs in treating emotional

disorder. These conclusions are supported by several narrative reviews and meta-analysis (Craft & Landers,

1998), Hale, Koch and Raglin, 2000; Van Landuyt, Ekkekakis, Hall & Petruzzello, 2000).

Type of exercises

Studies cited to support the relationship between exercise and psychological affect benefits have used both

acute and chronic exercises. Acute exercise refers to exercise that is of short duration (e.g., thirty

minutes).Chronic exercise refers to long-term exercise (e.g., twelve months). Aerobics exercise refers to

exercise that is accomplished at an exercise intensity that allows for the intake of sufficient oxygen to

maintain continuous exercise. Anaerobic exercise is one in which the exerciser does not get enough oxygen

to maintain continuous exercise. Anaerobic exercise requires the athlete to breathe hard following exercise

in order to replenish stored energy. After a bout of anaerobic exercise, the athlete will need period to time

to "catch her breath." This is not generally necessary with aerobic exercises. Synchronized swimming is an

example of anaerobic exercise. Resistance exercise usually involves the use of weights or weight training to

provide resistance to the muscles, for example, weight lifting.

Special Populations

We turn our attention now to the beneficial psychological effects of regular physical activity on special

populations of people. Special populations can be divided into three categories; clinical patients, children

and elderly, and disabled individuals.

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Clinical Patients

The benefits of regular physical activity are even greater for individuals suffering from psychological

disorders than for normal individuals. Using a meta-analysis procedure, it is observed that:

Both aerobic and nonaerobic exercises were effective in reducing clinical depression.

More depressed individuals benefit more from exercise.

Exercise was as beneficial as psychotherapy and drug therapy for reducing depression.

Long-term exercise programs are more effective than short-term programs for reducing depression in

the clinically ill.

In addition to treating depression and anxiety, exercise is also an effective treatment for clinical patients

suffering from schizophrenia. Results of the exercise program showed psychological improvements in the

form of reduced auditory hallucinations and better sleep patterns. In another investigation, Martinsen,

Raglin, Hofart, and Friis (1998) demonstrated that patients suffering from severe panic disorder could safely

undergo vigorous exercise without suffering panic attacks.

Children and Elderly

Research has also shown the beneficial effects of exercise on children and older adults. Children's exercise

behaviors are greatly uninfluenced by their parents' attitudes and behaviors regarding exercise. Factors that

can influence a child's decision to be physically active include parents' beliefs, the children's perception of

their own competence, and, to come extent their goal orientation.

Regarding exercise and the elderly, research shows that participation in aerobic exercise selectively preserves

some cognitive functioning that normally declines with age.

So, for the elderly, there is not only the benefit of improved fitness and improved psychological affect

associated with exercise, but also the prospect of slowing the decline of some cognitive functions. Exercise

in the elderly is associated with the preservation of certain aspects of memory and spatial relationships and

reduction in confusion, tension, and anger.

Disabled Individuals

Finally, it is important to mention that the beneficial psychological effects of regular exercise extend to

physically challenged individuals as well. For example, wheelchair sport participants have been observed to

enjoy greater psychological benefits from physical activity than wheelchair nonparticipants in sport.

Moderating Variables

In addition, research suggests that there are a number of variables that may moderate or facilitate the

effectiveness of regular exercise on metal well-being.

Time of Day

Research suggests that time of day is not an important factor relative to psychological benefits derived from

exercise. You get just as much affective benefit from running in the morning as from doing so at midday or

in the evening.

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Mode of Exercise

The psychological benefits of acute aerobic exercise appear to the same, regardless of the mode of exercise.

Cox et al. (2000) observed no difference in anxiety between treadmill and stepper exercisers following a

thirty-minute bout of exercise.

Music

Research suggests that listening to music during exercise can increase positive affect in the exerciser.

Attentional Strategy

Relative to attentional strategy, there is evidence that a dissociative (external) attentional strategy may result

in greater psychological benefits (Masters & Ogles, 1998b). Runners who are asked to listen to their own

heart rates during exercise (internal focus) exhibit greater emotional stress than runner who dissociate

during exercise.

Social Environment

The social environment associated with exercise has an effect upon psychological benefits of exercise.

Research results show increased benefits for the socially enriched environment in the form of revitalization

and self-efficacy.

References

Cox, H. Richard. (2002). Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications. (Fifth Edition). New York:

McGraw-Hill Companies

Lavallec. D., Kremer, J., Moran, A., & Williams. M. (2004) Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes. New

York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers

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