Knowledge Check (Learning Goals 1-10)

Question 1

Know the definitions for PA as well as different aspects of fitness

Answer 1

PA: the ability to perform muscular work
Health-related aspects:
1. CV Fitness/Endurance
2. Muscular Strength
3. Muscular Endurance
4. Flexibility
5. Body composition

Skilled-related aspects (Motor Fitness)
1. Agility
2. Power
3. Balance
4. Coordination
5. RT
6. Speed

Question 2

Know the parent disciplines from which the field of Exercise Psychology emerged.

Answer 2

Psychology: Field of study concerned with various mental processes people experience and utilize. (Perceptions, Cognitions, Emotions)

Exercise science/Kinesiology: study of all aspects of PA, sport, recreation, exercise/fitness, and rehabilitative behavior.

Question 3

Know why it is important to study the psychology of exercise.

Answer 3

1. Understanding antecedents of PA behavior:
   Adoption and adherence rates are very low.
   Adoption: beginning state of exercise program
   Adherence: maintenance of exercise program
   Noncompliant: not adhering to program: dropout from program
2. Understanding the consequences of PA:
   Will allow interventions that can:
   Reduce acute and chronic negative psychological states (stress, anxiety, depression)
   Promote acute and chronic positive psychological states (cognitive function, well being, self esteem)

Question 4

Discuss the primary benefits associated with exercise participation.

Answer 4

1. Improved Health and Fitness
2. Enhanced Appearance
3. Improve psychological/mental Health and cognitive function/ Enjoyment
4. Improved Social Relations/Socializing/ others Expectations

Question 5

Know the primary barriers that work against exercise participation

Answer 5

Convenience/Availability/Access
* Environmental/Ecological Factors
* Physical Limitations/Current Physical

Condition
* Lack of Time/Competing Interests
* Boredom/Lack of Enjoyment
* Lack of Results/No Motivation

Question 6

Discuss why physical activity participation rates are so dismal.

Answer 6

1. Attitudes are based on what people shouldn’t do based on race, sex, and social barriers.
2. People think they don’t have time
3. Created an environment where you have to plan for PA
4. Wired to be conservative

Question 7

Describe the evolutionary history of physical activity.

Answer 7

Early humans: Hunter-Gatherers
Agriculture Period:
Industrial Period:
Electronic Age:

Question 8

Know the 5 “W”s of physical activity epidemiology.

Answer 8

1. Who exercises?
2. Where are they exercising?
3. What are they doing?
4. When are they doing it?
5. Why are they doing it/ why aren’t they doing it?

Question 9

Describe why the lack of physical activity participation is considered an epidemic.

Answer 9

The lack of physical activity participation is considered an epidemic because it can cause many chronic and acute diseases.

Question 10

Know the different ways that physical activity can be measured and the advantages/disadvantages of each.

Answer 10

Self-report/Survey-Based
* Most widely used
* Relatively easy
* Relatively inexpensive (time, money)
* Longer the time frame = greater potential error (i.e., recall bias) ; 1 week most often used

Technological/Device-Based/Wearables
* Various mechanical and electronic devices
* Expensive

Observation
* Direct and indirect methods
* Hawthorne Effect (atypical behavior) Based on studies of workers at the Hawthorne Works, Western Electric factory in Cicero
* Very expensive