Doing Exercise Psychology

Mark B. Andersen examines authentic examples of sport psychologists at work to teach readers how to use their knowledge of sport psychology in an effective and efficient manner.

According to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, “If exercise could be packaged into a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation.” Yet the incorporation of physical activity into a regular routine proves difficult for many. Bringing together a field of experts, Doing Exercise Psychology uses applied theories alongside authentic client interactions to address the challenging psychological components of physical activity. Doing Exercise Psychology helps students understand how to build connections with individual clients, strengthen the professional relationship through listening, and understand clients’ needs. The text features diverse topics, bridging health psychology and exercise psychology and demonstrating the increasingly important role of physical activity in overall wellness and health. The first chapter is devoted to the development of mindfulness as a practitioner, while another addresses the difficulties professionals encounter with their own inactivity, encouraging self-reflection in order to be more helpful and open with clients. A key feature of many chapters in Doing Exercise Psychology is the in-the-trenches dialogue between practitioner and client, accompanied by follow-up commentary on what went right and what went wrong in particular sessions. Through these real-world scenarios, students will witness firsthand the methods that are most effective in communicating with clients. The text also explores complex questions such as these: • What are the implications and consequences of using exercise as a component of psychological therapies? • How can practitioners help clients with impaired movement abilities as a result of chronic conditions or illness embrace physical activity as part of their therapy or their lives? • How can exercise be incorporated in therapies to change nutrition, smoking, and alcohol habits? • Why are some exercise protocols that are extremely effective for some but not for others? • How can relationships, interrelatedness, and attunement to others be vehicles for healthy change in whatever kind of therapy is being done? The book is arranged so that information flows progressively, covering major themes early and then applying them to the field. Part I introduces the relationship-building motif by covering the variety of relationships that one might find in exercise and physical activity settings. Part II addresses specific conditions and behavior change, with suggestions for encouraging activity in those who are also working to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, or modify their nutrition habits. Part III deals directly with chronic and major medical conditions that professionals will contend with on a regular basis, including cancer, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. Part IV delves into the dark side of exercise, such as overtraining, exercise dependence, and eating disorders. A growing and exciting area of study, exercise psychology covers all the psychosocial, intra- and interpersonal, and cultural variables that come into play when people get together and exercise. Students and practitioners who work with individuals in exercise settings will find Doing Exercise Psychology a vital resource to refer to repeatedly in their practice.

Annotation This textbook combines an explanation of the theoretical foundations of sport psychology, critical reviews of contemporary research and practical suggestions for relevant independent research projects.

How do athletes overcome fears, slumps, mental blocks, or injuries? How do they deal with stress and anxiety, be it from competitors, teammates, audiences, parents, coaches, or themselves? What psychological techniques prove effective in mental training for peak performance, maintaining concentration, motivation, and competitive drive? How can an athlete enhance his or her commitment to a training regimen, or how might the average person better adhere to a program of fitness and exercise? Readers will find answers to these questions and more in the Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Features & Benefits: Entries explore the theory, research, and application of psychology as it relates to sport and fitness in a manner that is accessible and jargon-free to help readers better understand human behavior in sport and exercise settings. From personal factors to situational factors influencing performance to specific psychological techniques for enhancing performance, this work provides comprehensive coverage of the field via approximately 350 to 400 signed entries. Entries conclude with cross-references and suggestions for further readings to guide students further in their research journey. Available in print and online, this monumental work is edited by two leading figures in the field with a distinguished international Editorial Advisory Board to select and assign entries, ensuring authoritative content readers can trust.

According to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, "If exercise could be packaged into a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation." Yet the incorporation of physical activity into a regular routine proves difficult for many. Bringing together a field of experts, Doing Exercise Psychology uses applied theories alongside authentic client interactions to address the challenging psychological components of physical activity. Doing Exercise Psychology helps students understand how to build connections with individual clients, strengthen the professional relationship through listening, and understand clients' needs. The text features diverse topics, bridging health psychology and exercise psychology and demonstrating the increasingly important role of physical activity in overall wellness and health. The first chapter is devoted to the development of mindfulness as a practitioner, while another addresses the difficulties professionals encounter with their own inactivity, encouraging self-reflection in order to be more helpful and open with clients. A key feature of many chapters in Doing Exercise Psychology is the in-the-trenches dialogue between practitioner and client, accompanied by follow-up commentary on what went right and what went wrong in particular sessions. Through these real-world scenarios, students will witness firsthand the methods that are most effective in communicating with clients. The text also explores complex questions such as these: What are the implications and consequences of using exercise as a component of psychological therapies? How can practitioners help clients with impaired movement abilities as a result of chronic conditions or illness embrace physical activity as part of their therapy or their lives? How can exercise be incorporated in therapies to change nutrition, smoking, and alcohol habits? Why are some exercise protocols that are extremely effective for some but not for others? How can relationships, interrelatedness, and attunement to others be vehicles for healthy change in whatever kind of therapy is being done? The book is arranged so that information flows progressively, covering major themes early and then applying them to the field. Part I introduces the relationship-building motif by covering the variety of relationships that one might find in exercise and physical activity settings. Part II addresses specific conditions and behavior change, with suggestions for encouraging activity in those who are also working to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, or modify their nutrition habits. Part III deals directly with chronic and major medical conditions that professionals will contend with on a regular basis, including cancer, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis. Part IV delves into the dark side of exercise, such as overtraining, exercise dependence, and eating disorders. A growing and exciting area of study, exercise psychology covers all the psychosocial, intra- and interpersonal, and cultural variables that come into play when people get together and exercise. Students and practitioners who work with individuals in exercise settings will find Doing Exercise Psychology a vital resource to refer to repeatedly in their practice.

This is the first applied handbook for practitioners who want to help patients begin and maintain an exercise program as a lifestyle change. Mental health practitioners (MHPs) often earn a trust that not many other professionals do with their patients. It is with this trust that MHPs are able to encourage and help their clients begin a healthy and active lifestyle through exercise programs. This book, with easy to understand language, provides a simple introduction for mental health practitioners and clinicians to help their clients achieve better mental and physical health through exercise and learn how effective the psychological aspects of exercise can be. The book helps MHPs obtain the background of ways to achieve proper fitness, and to go through the process of obtaining information about the client's individual needs, and finally to prescribe an exercise program that is compatible with those needs. A fundamental knowledge of applied principles of exercise physiology provides additional credibility to the prescribed exercise regimen. Coverage includes: Applied exercise psychology Motivation technique Theories and models in health psychology Fundamental applied exercise physiology Specific cognitive and behavioral strategies Program interventions Recommended books and journals List of exercise and health organizations Exercise checklist This book will be of use to all mental health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, and consultants, whose relationship with clients provides a unique opportunity to gain entry for proposing lifestyle changes. For further information on Dr. Anshel, please Click Here.

The growing field of sport and exercise psychology offers an abundance of opportunities for clinical practice. For instance, a sport and exercise psychologist might work with elite or professional athletes, use exercise therapeutically with clients, conduct workshops for parents and youth sport coaches, or implement a community-based physical activity intervention. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the field of sport and exercise psychology. Several chapters review common performance enhancement interventions, including goal setting, imagery, cognitive strategies, intensity regulation, and modelling. Additional chapters review interventions for health and well-being. Recommendations are provided for assessing, treating, and referring clients with psychopathology, and considerations pertaining to special populations are also detailed, including work with youth sport participants, college student-athletes, elite athletes, and culturally diverse groups. The book concludes with a discussion of professional issues in sport and exercise psychology, including education, certification, how to integrate this specialty into existing clinical practice, and the unique ethical challenges of working in this area. With its comprehensive scope and emphasis on both research and application, this book is a rich resource for both practitioners and students interested in learning more about applying psychology in sport and exercise settings.

Doing Exercise Psychology addresses psychological components of physical activity by providing readers with real client–practitioner relationships and interventions and subsequent analysis of their effectiveness. It is a vital resource for any professional whose clients may benefit from exercise.