Module Identifier SS33120  
Module Title EXERCISE AND MENTAL WELL BEING  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Cecilie Thogersen Ntoumani  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Professor Jonathan H Doust  
Pre-Requisite SS23020  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours WRITTEN EXAMINATION  50%
Semester Assessment 3,000 WORD STUDY  50%
Supplementary Exam3 Hours CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ARTICLE UNDER EXAM CONDITIONS  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Identify elements of mental well-being and their assessment;

Discuss the effect of physical activity on different elements of well-being;

Interpret and evaluate relevant research findings;

Aims

Mental well-being plays an imperative role in the health equation, and, as a result, this area of focus is receiving increased research attention. Furthermore, there is now convincing evidence that exercise may be effective in enhancing mental health and well-being in different populations. A more specialist focus will be developed from the more wide-ranging coverage of the psychology of sport and exercise covered in the pre-requisite L2 module. It also provides preparation for students who want to work in any area related to health promotion or those who want to continue with psychological research in postgraduate work.

Brief description

The module will examine the complex relationship between exercise and various indices of mental well-being through the employment of appropriate theory and recent research literature. The potential mechanisms explaining the relationship between exercise and mental well-being will also be considered. The module will provide students with a knowledge and skill base for research and practice in the promotion of mental well-being through exercise.

Content

Psychological constructs that are considered in this module include mood, depression, sleep, quality of life, self-perceptions and body image. The importance of these constructs, their relationship to physical activity and their assessment will be examined. A central part of the module will include a 24-hour practical session examining the role that sleep deprivation plays in the relationship between exercise and mood levels (12 hours of actual student involvement).

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Biddle, S.J.H., Fox, K.R. and Boutcher, S.H. (2000). (2000) Physical activity and psychological well-being. London: Routledge.
Biddle, S.J.H. and Mutrie, N. (2001). (2001) Psychology of physical activity: Determinants, well-being and interventions. London: Routledge
Buckworth, J. and Dishman, R.K. (2002). : Human Kinetics. (2002) Exercise psychology Champaign, IL
Byrne, B.M. (1996) (1996) Measuring self-concept across the lifespan: Issues and instrumentation. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6