lecture 1- intro

Question 1

what is psychology

Answer 1

• the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes (cognitive and emotions)

Question 2

what is physical activity

Answer 2

• any body movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in a substantial increase over the resting energy expenditure
• includes exercise, work, leisure activity, sport

Question 3

what is physical fitness

Answer 3

• person’s ability to perform PA

Question 4

what is exercise

Answer 4

• is a form of leisure time physical activity- it is planned, structured, and repetitive form of PA designed to improve/maintain fitness
• conform to recommended frequency, intensity and duration to achieve

Question 5

what is exercise science

Answer 5

• is the multidisciplinary, scientific study of movement (including sport, exercise, fitness and rehab)

Question 6

what is exercise psychology

Answer 6

• is the application of psychological principles to promote, maintain, enhance and explain the consequences of exercise

Question 7

what is health

Answer 7

• human condition with physical, social and psychological dimensions, each characterized by a continuum with positive and negative poles
• positive development: PA, exercise, proper diet, not smoking

Question 8

what is active living

Answer 8

• a way of life in which physical activity is valued and integrated into daily life

Question 9

exercise psychology- primary interest

Answer 9

• primary interest is link between mental and physical health (psychology and exercise science/kinesiology)

Question 10

exercise psychology- special interest areas

Answer 10

• problem focused (cognitive) vs emotion focused coping and health
• hardiness and disease risk/resistance
• psychological benefits of exercise/health promotion
• the adherence of exercise based on personality

Question 11

objectives of exercise psychology #1

Answer 11

• to understand how psychological factors affect an individual’s performance (ex; the promotion and maintenance of physical activity)

Question 12

objectives of exercise psychology #2

Answer 12

• to understand how participation in sport and exercise effects one’s psychological development, health, and well-being. (ex; the consequences of physical activity)

Question 13

psychology and kinesiology

Answer 13

• individual’s thoughts, emotions and attitudes
• human behaviour
• exercise science (sport, exercise, rehab)
• social factors that influence the above

Question 14

social facilitation

Answer 14

• people improve performance when others were around

- Normal Triplett - research completed by cyclists- racing against others improved speed vs clock racing

Question 15

social psychological orientation - assumptions

Answer 15

• assumption is behaviour is determined by interchange between person and their environment
• family
• important others
• other exercisers
• cohesion
• leadership

Question 16

PA and psychology: the field

Answer 16

• dates back to ancient greeks (over 3000 years)
• industrial revolution- value of fitness
• a brief history of a young field

Question 17

PA and psychology: factors that delayed development

Answer 17

1. sport
2. uncertain PA: health/wellness link
3. treatment vs prevention

Question 18

PA and Psychology - dates

Answer 18

• 1970-1980’s “fitness craze”, popularity of aerobics and weight training
• not until late 1980’s that exercise psychology became an accepted sub discipline of sport psychology

Question 19

PA and Psychology: recent shifts in perception of exercise

Answer 19

• it can help reduce heightened levels of stress

- individuals can play an active role in maintaining/improving their health

Question 20

sport psychology split up over the years

Answer 20

sport psychology split into

1. health psychology
2. exercise psychology
3. sport psychology

Question 21

exercise vs sport psychology: exercise

Answer 21

• non-elite
• non-competitive motives for participants
• focus is often on participation

Question 22

exercise vs sport psychology: sport

Answer 22

• elite athletic performance
• competitive performance
• focus on performance

Question 23

what roles do exercise/sport psychologists do?

Answer 23

• research role
• teaching role
• consulting role
• policy making/advocating role

Question 24

related fields: rehab psychology

Answer 24

• relationship between psychological factors and the physical rehabilitation process and its impact on an individual’s well-being

Question 25

related fields: health psychology/public health

Answer 25

- psychological processes related to health and illness/health care (nutrition, smoking and cessation)

Question 26

PA guidelines: children and adolescents (6-17 years old)

Answer 26

- 60 mins or more daily - age appropriate - include 3 types of activity aerobic: mod & vig, majority of PA time (vig 3+ days/week) muscle strengthening: 3+ days/week

Question 27

PA guidelines: adults

Answer 27

- accumulation perspective (10-15 min segments) 1. mod intensity aerobic- 2.5hours (150 mins) every week AND 2. muscle strengthening: 2+ days a week (all muscle groups) OR 1. vig intensity aerobic for 75 mins a week AND 2. muscle strengthening 2+ days/week older adults over 65 are also urged for 150mins of mod to vig intensity aerobic activity a week

Question 28

to what extent are people physically active?

Answer 28

- 94% of US surveyed knows the benefits of exercise - incidence of regular PA participation is lower than earlier - only 1 of 13 PA and fitness objectives proposed was actually met - -> started in 1990 and report released in 2000 and 2010 and 2020

Question 29

does society in general avoid PA?

Answer 29

- industrialized nations- few regularly active - 40-50% = not sufficiently active - 52% for Australia, 49% for US and 43% for Canadians - there have been some increases in activity but #'s are still too high for inactivity

Question 30

perceived barriers?

Answer 30

- PA as a punishment/unpleasant sensation form of Vig activity - lack of enjoyment - possible injury - lack of knowledge - lack of confidence - lack of social support - lack of time - lack of improvement - conveyance/environmental

Question 31

Behaviour Change and Psychology

Answer 31

- trying to motivate people to change their lifestyle is not an easy task - people are complex, so it is a challenge to change people's cognitions and behaviours when it comes to a physically fit lifestyle - a medical model is not enough (Obesity is a disease) - biopsychosocial model

Question 32

can our behaviour change? looking at psychological antecedents

Answer 32

- psychological antecedents of exercise behaviour 1. adoption- beginning stages of exercise 2. adherence: maintaining of exercise 3. noncompliance- non-adherence to objectives, set out by knowledge given

Question 33

are people aware of benefits of PA? - beliefs of active vs inactive individuals

Answer 33

- belief of active vs inactive individuals = same - exercise/PA can be used to : - control weight - be more healthy - relieve tension - improve physical appearance - feel better - meet people - helps fill free time, improves mental performance