Module Identifier SS33120  
Module Title EXERCISE AND MENTAL WELL BEING  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
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).

Module Skills

Problem_solving Coursework project assessment: Construction of a research hypothesis in response to a problem Workshops / Seminars: ¿ Identification of case study problems and solutions ¿ Critical analyses of published research articles in groups  
Research skills Coursework project assessment: Location and use of primary sources Developing and testing a hypothesis Collecting, analysing, interpreting and reporting original data Production of an academically appropriate assignment Workshops / Seminars: Preparation for data collection and analysis  
Communication Coursework project assessment and written examination: The ability to communicate with study participants The ability to communicate original data Workshops / Seminars: Work in groups to complete a succinct report of a laboratory experiment.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Coursework project assessment: Testing a research hypothesis and collecting, interpreting and reporting original data Lectures / Workshops / Seminars: Critically analysing relevant research articles Small group problem-solving activities  
Team work Group work is involved in all Practical and Workshop / Seminar sessions and in the formative assessment  
Information Technology Searching literature databases (e.g. SportDiscus and PsychInfo)  
Application of Number Used in the context of the data that is gathered in the coursework project  
Personal Development and Career planning Preparation for students wanting to work in any area related to health promotion and for those who want to continue with psychological research in postgraduate work  
Subject Specific Skills Coursework project assessment: Evaluating individuals on psychological constructs Understanding of people in the broader context of health and well-being Written examination: ¿ Testing theoretical and empirical knowledge  

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