Psychological Benefits Of Exercise Research Articles

P-997 - Barriers and enablers to exercise in a sample of postpartum women in Western Australia: a multi-method approach abstract

Introduction For most women in the postpartum period, six to 52 weeks after childbirth, participation in exercise is very limited. More information is needed to fully understand the specific barriers and enablers to exercise during this period. Objectives Explore the daily experience of physical activity in postpartum women. Investigate the key barriers and enablers to physical activity in the postpartum period Aims A qualitative approach in the form of a semi-structured interview with thematic analysis was used Methods This study used a multi-method approach.Postpartum women recruited from child health clinics were sent a package of standardized questionnaires to investigate the barriers that affected their exercise participation. In addition, 14 postpartum women who participated in the survey were contacted for an interview in order to further discuss exercise barriers and enablers. Results For the 150 women who responded to the survey lack of confidence and lack of time had the greatest impact on participation in sport and exercise. When daily physical activity participation was assessed lack of information, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge were statistically significant. The qualitative data showed that mothers may be able to participate more in exercise if they had greater social support, particularly partner support. The participants suggested that environmental factors like increased knowledge and access to appropriate exercise programs, either in the home or outside, could potentially enable increased exercise. Conclusion New mothers require substantial social support and specifically tailored exercise programs to enable them to access the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise.

Leisure‐time physical activities for community older people with chronic diseases

(1) To explore the types and three components (frequency, duration and caloric expenditure) of leisure-time physical activity in community older people with chronic diseases. (2) To identify leisure-time physical activity-related factors in these community older people. Previous research has focused primarily on measuring the actual physiological or psychological benefits of exercise or leisure-time physical activity, little is known about the factors that determine the frequency, intensity and duration of exercise or leisure-time physical activity. The identification of reliable predictors of the various components of leisure-time physical activity will enable healthcare providers to intervene and change the patterns of leisure-time physical activity in the sedentary older people more effectively. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. Participants were recruited from the Xinyi District in Taipei, Taiwan. A total of 206 older people were recruited and were asked to complete three questionnaires during a face-to-face interview with a researcher at the activity setting. The results showed that walking leisurely was the most frequent leisure-time physical activity for participants. The age, gender, living arrangement, affective feeling and environmental control were significant variables of leisure-time physical activity. The study constructs accounted for moderate amounts of variance (22% for leisure-time physical activity frequency, 27% for leisure-time physical activity duration and 24% for leisure-time physical activity caloric expenditure). This study also showed that different variables play different influential roles in the different components of LTPA. An effective intervention strategy for improving leisure-time physical activity of older people may involve tailoring the type, format, intensity, frequency and duration of a physical activity according to an individual's needs. This study described some environmental barriers to LTPA and recommended an increase in the accessibility to LTPA areas.

Sex differences in psychological effects of exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in psychological effects of exercise on university students. University students (73 female and 65 male) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups by equating sex in each group. The experimental group participated in step dance sessions of 50 min per day, 3 days per week for 10 weeks with 60-80% of their heart rate reserves. Throughout the 10-week period, the lecture control group was told not to participate in any organized or structured exercise and participated in a lecture that was about the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise. Self-concept, belief in external control, and trait anxiety of the groups were measured before and after the exercise program. A significant improvement in the psychological variables after the exercise program and more improvement for female exercise participants were expected. Analysis revealed no significant initial differences in self-concept, belief in external control, and trait anxiety between the two groups or between males and females, other than family and moral/ethical self. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that exercise led to less belief in external control and significant improvement in physical self and identity dimensions of self-concept for the experimental group compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in trait anxiety between the two groups after exercise (p>.05). Analysis also revealed that changes in belief in external control, trait anxiety, and self-concept did not differ with regard to sex. Males and females showed no difference in their improvement on trait anxiety, belief in external control, and most dimensions of self-concept during the 10 weeks. Only changes in personal and physical self throughout 10-week period were different for males and females. Exerciser males improved their personal self and physical self scores more than female exercisers and male and female nonexercisers throughout the 10-week period (p<.05).

Exercise and Quality of Life: Strengthening the Connections

Exercise improves quality of life (QOL) in people with cancer. Most oncology healthcare providers recognize the statement to be true because the research literature provides strong support for the physical and psychological benefits of exercise. Because the terms exercise, QOL, and people with cancer have different meanings, the contextual connections in which they are used are important to understanding the relationship between exercise and QOL in people with cancer. This article explores the links between exercise and QOL in people with cancer and examines issues that impact the development, implementation, and evaluation of exercise programs for people with cancer. Issues related to exercise goal development, exercise prescription, exercise testing, exercise adherence, and methods to evaluate the efficacy of exercise in relation to QOL are discussed.

Toward an optimal approach for health and transportation

Pretty (2006) offered a valuable perspective on the psychological benefits of exercise in green environments. This makes intuitive sense, for who among us does not recognize the personal benefits we receive from being active and surrounded by nature's beauty? The quantitative support that Pretty (2006) offered confirms this anecdotal experience, and provides an extremely valuable contribution to the debate.

Exercise in cancer patients

Many cancer patients complain of fatigue; in the past this has led to patients being advised to rest. However, this may lead to a vicious cycle of deconditioning, which leads to further impaired performance, and subsequently can reduce quality of life. This review was undertaken to establish the benefits of exercise in cancer patients, and to make recommendations for clinical practice regarding the best way to exercise such patients. The literature on exercise programmes in patients with a cancer diagnosis published over the last 19 years was reviewed and critically appraised. Studies reviewed demonstrated many physical and psychological benefits of exercise, and some recommendations can be established from the current research to guide clinicians. However, the methodology and patient populations used in some of the research to date are questionable, and further research is required to establish the most effective way of providing exercise for this patient group.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are two distinctly different rheumatic conditions that target elderly, primarily female, populations. This article examines the scientific evidence supporting the use of exercise as a specific therapeutic modality, the general physiologic and psychological benefits of exercise, and the exercise programs currently recommended to combat these prevalent musculoskeletal disorders. Exercise is a valuable adjunct to treatment programs aimed at alleviating the risks and symptoms of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition to its potential impact on the disease processes themselves, exercise improves general health and well being, enhances quality of life, and preserves physical independence.

Review of Working it out: Using exercise in psychotherapy.

KATE F. HAYS Working It Out: Using Exercise in Psychotherapy Washington, DC: American Association, 1999, xxii + 281 pp. (ISBN 1-55798-592-8, US$39.95, Hardcover) In this well-organized book, Kate Hays presents exercise as a important component of a multi-modal approach to therapy. The overall content is differentiated into four major sections, in the first of which Hays establishes the value of exercise. She defines her terms and lays the foundations of her rationale within the context of empirical research demonstrating the body-mind connection. The reader is then walked through various theoretical and philosophical perspectives on both therapy and exercise, and is asked to reflect upon his or her own beliefs and views. The second section moves from theory to the use of exercise as a therapeutic tool. Describing therapists as agents for change, (p. 37) Hays provides a model outlining the stages of change and assumptions therein. It is in this section that she points out the challenges encountered in using exercise in psychotherapy and defines the myriad issues related to using this approach with non-exercising clients. These involve the issues of helping clients begin an exercise program within a therapeutic context, the type and amount of exercise, and factors affecting beliefs about the efficacy of exercise (e.g., personal, social, cultural, interpersonal). Outlined in the third section are the Psychological Benefits of Exercise with Specific Populations, overviewing many common clinical populations and specific exercise-based treatment recommendations. Populations include those individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse, as well as less commonly clinical populations, such as those dealing with lifestyle issues, lifespan issues, and issues idiosyncratic to athletes. Each chapter includes Practitioner Recommendations that direct the therapist on the appropriate use of psychological techniques for that population, specific issues that may be encountered, options for application of treatment, and anticipated effects of exercise as treatment. The fourth section, Caveats and Boundaries, is just that, an important collection of chapters that did not find a place elsewhere in the book (though chapter 18 might fit in the previous section). The construct of boundaries is stretched to include boundaries on the physical limits of exercise, boundaries on the interpersonal and ethical limits of therapists and clients, and the boundaries of the professional disciplines involved in the ongoing integration of exercise and therapy. The first chapter in this section speaks to issues of moderation versus overuse of exercise, provides an excellent overview of models of overuse, and introduces the reader to constructs such as exercise deprivation and exercise degradation. The next chapter covers ethical issues and competency, including confidentiality, dual-- role relationships, self-disclosure, non-erotic physical contact, and the different traditions' perspectives on the ethics of sexual contact with present or former clients. Issues of diagnosis and third-party payments are also addressed. Hays wraps up this section with the steps a practitioner might take in order to further explore the field of sport psychology. The final section of the book constitutes a glossary of exercise and sport psychology terms and a number of appendixes. These include an outline for the development and expansion of a therapy practice that involves exercise, the history of exercise and sport psychology, and an exercise-related intake assessment. There is no major notion in the book that is not supported by a wealth of references to the literature of sport psychology or to the general field of psychology itself. As an author, Hays is very objective in her willingness to state clearly what empirical evidence does or does not exist for her assertions, acknowledging self report for its qualitative value. …

Diabetes and exercise.

Exercise is frequently recommended in the management of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus and can improve glucose uptake by increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering body adiposity. Both alone and...

Physical Fitness and Psychological Benefits of Strength Training in Community Dwelling Older Adults.

Previous studies concerning psychological benefits of exercise among the elderly has focused predominantly on the effects of aerobic exercise. In the present study, psychological and behavioral adaptations in response to 12-weeks of strength training were examined in medically healthy but sedentary 42 older adults (mean age = 68 years). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of high and low intensity resistance training intensity on a) muscular fitness, b) psychological affect, and c) neurocognitive functioning. Subjects were randomly assigned to high intensity/low volume (EXH: 2 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions for 75 to 85% of 1 RM), low intensity/high volume (EXL: 2 sets of 14 to 16 repetitions for 55 to 65% of 1 RM), or no exercise control programs. Prior to and following the 12-week program, subjects underwent comprehensive physiological and psychological evaluations. Physiological assessment included measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, arm and leg muscle strength, body composition, and oxygen consumption (VO2max). Psychological measures included evaluations of mood, anxiety, and physical self-efficacy as well as cognitive functioning. The results of this study indicated that both high and low intensity strength programs were associated with marked improvements in physiological fitness and psychological functioning. Specifically, subjects in the strength training programs increased overall muscle strength by 38.6% and reduced percent body fat by 3.0%. Favorable psychological changes in the strength-trained subjects included improvements in positive and negative mood, trait anxiety, and perceived confidence for physical capability. The treatment effects of neurocognitive functioning were not significant. In summary, this study demonstrated that participation in 12-weeks of high or low intensity strength training can improve overall physical fitness, mood, and physical self-efficacy in older adults while cognitive functioning remains constant.

Coping with work stress: Psychological benefits of exercise

Abstract Although the health–enhancing effects of physical exercise have been well documented, less is known about how exercise benefits stressed employees psychologically. This article examines exercise as a coping response, and identifies changes in self–schemata (a person's underlying belief systems about him or herself) as the means by which exercise affects coping resources. In addition, by drawing on schema theory and the exercise literature, the active components of an exercise programme and the individuals who might enhance their ability to cope with stress through such a programme are identified.

MOOD ALTERATION WITH YOGA AND SWIMMING-AEROBIC EXERCISE MAY NOT BE NECESSARY

The mood benefits of Hatha yoga and swimming, two activities that differ greatly in aerobic training benefits, were examined. College students (N = 87) in two swimming classes, a yoga class, and a lecture-control class completed mood and personality inventories before and after class on three occasions. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated that both yoga participants (n = 22) and swimmers (n = 37) reported greater decreases in scores on Anger, Confusion, Tension, and Depression than did the control students (n = 28). The consistent mood benefits of yoga supported our earlier observation that the exercise need not be aerobic to be associated with mood enhancement. However, underlying and causal mechanisms remain uncertain. Among the men, the acute decreases in Tension, Fatigue, and Anger after yoga were significantly greater than those after swimming. Yoga may be even more beneficial than swimming for men who personally select to participate. The women reported fairly similar mood benefits after swimming and yoga. It seems that aerobic exercise may not be necessary to facilitate the mood benefits. Also, students with greater mood changes attended class more regularly than those who reported fewer psychological benefits. Maximizing the immediate psychological benefits of exercise might be one way to encourage adults to be physically active.

The psychological benefits of exercise in work settings: A review, critique, and dispositional model

Abstract Evidence on the psychological effects of exercise on employees is considered. Studies which examined the effect of company-sponsored exercise programmes as well as those examining the more general effect of exercise in work settings are reviewed. It is concluded that the evidence for psychological benefits is equivocal. Due to methodological problems, it is difficult to determine whether exercise is responsible for the positive effects reported. Four personality characteristics which may be responsible for both exercise and psychological reactions to work are considered, and a model is then presented. It was concluded that future studies examining the impact of exercise should consider this dispositional model.

The Psychological Benefits of Exercise and the Treatment of Delinquent Adolescents

The conviction that athletic participation imparts desirable educational, social and personal values has been the basis for including recreational sports in the remedial programme for juvenile delinquents. More recently, the psychological benefits of aerobic exercise and increased fitness have been investigated. Changes following intensive exercise include reductions in anxiety, tension and depression, and increased self-esteem. These effects have been variously hypothesised as due to a sense of increased control or mastery, a meditative effect or to alterations in neurotransmitter-levels. Delinquent adolescents comprise a heterogeneous population characterised by clusters of risk factors, handicapping conditions and psychopathology, with a prevalence of depression and low self-esteem far exceeding that of the population at large. Intervention which can benefit these characteristics may be especially useful in preventive or therapeutic programmes in this group. While less intensive recreational play or physically challenging 'Outward Bound' programmes can be effective in improving social attitudes and self-esteem, intensive aerobic exercise may produce greater improvements in self-esteem and depression. Future research must identify the mechanisms by which exercise confers these benefits, whether it enhances other areas, such as social skills or academic performance, and which populations are benefitted by such programmes.

Depression, Exercise, and the Elderly: State of the Art

The incidence of depression in the elderly is a growing problem. Although treatment includes psychotherapy and J or pharmacologic intervention, alternate forms that are cost effective, low in side effects, and far reaching to the vast numbers who are suffering from this psychiatric ailment are being sought. With the advent of the fitness craze," and the introduction of a health promotion and wellness philosophy by health care professionals, increasing attention has been drawn to the health benefits of physical activity. The purpose of this article is, after a brief examination of the symptoms'and treatment of depression, to examine the physiological and psychological benefits of exercise and review research related specifically to the elderly.