Overview

What do you think is the activity people spend most of their waking hours doing? Is your answer sitting? To put things in perspective, population-based studies indicate that we spend on average about 50% of our waking hours sitting. Sedentary behaviour such as sitting is linked with a multitude of adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, osteoporosis, depression and cancers that lead to premature mortality. If there was one pill that could prevent these adverse health outcomes, enhance sleep quality, increase self-esteem, help you develop an athletic physique, and improve cognition, you would surely take it right? Well this pill is now available and its FREE! Its called Physical Activity. In this module you will learn just how important a physically active lifestyle is; how being physically active can improve physical and mental health and well-being (including your own); how a physically active lifestyle can help prevent many adverse health outcomes and how physical activity can be used in the treatment of chronic conditions. This module will be really useful to those who wish to have a career in health and wellbeing coaching, personal training, exercise rehabilitation or physiotherapy.

In this course, you will explore a range of topics such as social cognitive models of exercise behaviour; the role of autonomy in exercise promotion; affective responses to exercise; exercise affect and exercise adherence; implicit social cognition; fitness and cardiovascular reactivity to stress; and an overview of the importance of a physically active lifestyle to physical and mental wellbeing. Besides appreciating the relevant research, this course is also focused on the applications of exercise and health psychology in the real world. To achieve this, students will gain first-hand experience in laboratory sessions on how to apply exercise and health psychology in an exercise setting. Students will learn that being physically active and engaging in regular exercise can not only help prevent adverse health outcomes but can also be used in the treatment of these health conditions.

Assessment Strategy

Excellent (-A / 70%>) Shows excellent knowledge and in-depth understanding of the theories. Shows evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical evaluation of reading/research beyond the prescribed range to direct arguments. Arguments and explanations are consistently provided and well supported by the literature. Writes in an eloquent and professional manner to both academic and non-academic audiences. Demonstrates a sustained academic approach to most aspects of the task and evidences a competent understanding of all the relevant taught content.

Good (-C / 50%>) Shows good knowledge and understanding of the theories balanced towards the descriptive rather than critical or analytical. Shows evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research, where some may be beyond the prescribed range, but generally reliant on set sources to direct arguments. Arguments and explanations are provided that are typically supported by the literature and in some cases may challenge some received wisdoms. Writes effectively and in a coherent manner. Demonstrates an academically rigorous approach to some aspects of the tasks.

Threshold (-D / 40%>) Knowledge and understanding are sufficient to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts but fails to make meaningful synthesis. Shows some ability to select and evaluate reading/research, however, work may be more generally descriptive. Arguments and explanations are limited in range and depth although some are adequately supported by the literature albeit descriptively rather than critically. There is a general reliance on set sources to advance work. Writes in a way which shows clarity but the structure may not always be coherent. Although the approach applied to some aspects of the tasks may lack academic rigour, there are some clear areas of competence within the prescribed range.

Module failure that prevents you passing the year will require resit assessment and attendance at Supplementary Assessment Week (exact date TBC).

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse and interpret lab-based exercise psychology data.

• Apply and analyse the role lifestyle plays in preventing and treating adverse health conditions.

• Evaluate the differences between the principle constructs in social-cognitive models.

• Interpret current exercise guidelines and the latest research literature to prescribe suitable exercise programmes for people with a range of adverse health conditions.