This edited collection delivers contemporary international perspectives on the critical relationship between physical activity, exercise and mental health, providing essential insights for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to promoting psychological wellbeing through movement.
Bringing together leading researchers and practitioners in exercise and physical activity psychology, this book covers a wide range of topics including the effects of physical activity on mood, anxiety, and cognitive function, as well as personal experiences of body image and weight in physical activity contexts. It also explores the promotion of physical activity and exercise around the world, and the role of the psychology professional in promoting physical activity. Each chapter features contributions from international experts who examine research implications through diverse cultural and social lenses, offering nuanced insights into how physical activity influences mental wellbeing across different populations and contexts.
Offering a comprehensive and accessible resource on the links between physical activity, exercise and mental health, this is an important volume for students, researchers and practitioners of exercise and physical activity psychology across the globe.
This edited collection delivers contemporary international perspectives on the critical relationship between physical activity, exercise and mental health, providing essential insights for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to promoting psychological wellbeing through movement.
Acknowledgement List of Contributors Preface About the editors Series
Foreword Part One: Exercise Psychology from a Bibliometric Approach
Chapter
1. Global Trends and Hotspots of Exercise Psychology: A Bibliometric Analysis
from 1988 to 2025 Part Two: Exercise and Mental Health
Chapter
2. Physical
Activity Moves Me: Affect, Emotion, and Mood in the Context of Physical
Activity
Chapter
3. Exercise and Anxiety: The Impacts of Yoga
Chapter
4.
Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Executive Function: A Review
Part Three: Exercise and Self-Experiences
Chapter
5. Physical Activity and
Body Image
Chapter
6. Weight-Related Stigma in Physical Activity Spaces:
Trauma and Demotivation in Higher-Weight Individuals Part Four: Exercise and
Specific Topics
Chapter
7. The Effect of Physical Activity on Sleep
Chapter
8. Optimal Experience in Exercise: A Flow Perspective
Chapter
9. Harmonizing
Body and Mind: Music-Related Applications for Exercise and Mental Health Part
Five: Exercise and Applications around the World
Chapter
10. Promoting Mental
Health through Physical Activity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Chapter
11. Promoting
Mental Health through Physical Activity and Sport in Oceania
Chapter
12.
Promoting Mental Health through Physical Activity & Exercise in Asia
Chapter
13. Promoting Mental Health through Physical Activity: Evidence from Greece,
Italy and Spain
Chapter
14. Promoting Mental Health through Physical Activity
in Latino America Athletes Part Six: Becoming an Exercise and Physical
Activity Psychology Professional
Chapter 15 The Role of Exercise Psychology
Practitioners in Promoting Physical Activity: Competence, Training and
Practice
Yu-Kai Chang is Chair Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan.
Alessandro Quartiroli is Professor, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, USA and Visiting Professor, University of Portsmouth, UK.
