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MA531 Psychology of exercise and physical activity (10 ECTS)

Course facts

Course code

MA531

Course title

Psychology of exercise and physical activity

ECTS

10 ECTS

Semester

Fall

Course language

English

Academic responsible

Siv Gjesdal

Introduction

This course offers an in-depth in psychology of exercise and physical activity, leading to an understanding of antecedents, experiences and outcomes of such activities. Topics include aspects such as motivation, behavior change, and physical and mental health. Different subgroups are also covered, such as children, adults and elderly. This course is particularly relevant for those who aim to work in exercise, physical activity and health settings.

English is the primary language of the course, however those students who wish can complete the assignments and the exam in Norwegian.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, students should be able to

reflect critically on potential antecedents, barriers and outcomes of exercise and physical activity
explain and apply models of behavior change in relation to exercise and physical activity behavior
design and evaluate programs design to facilitate exercise and physical activity behavior in specific subgroups
communicate scientific knowledge on topics related to exercise and physical activity

Learning styles and activities

Three-week intensive course

Preparation for lectures
Active participation in lectures and seminars (with a lecturer present)
Student presentations

The students are expected to participate actively and sufficiently in the classes and forfeit the right to take the final examination (see below) if the group assignments are deemed unsatisfactory.

Mandatory assignment

Mandatory group assignment; group presentation, must be approved before final examination.

Assessment

An individually written literature review based on the curriculum. Graded A-F.

Core material

NB! To open electronic articles off campus, you must use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

Topic 1: Introduction to exercise psychology: Physical activity promotion and progression of motivational models in exercise science:
Ainsworth, B. E., & der Ananian, C. (2020). Physical activity promotion. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (4th ed., pp. 775-794). Wiley.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Rebar, A. L., & Rhodes, R. E. (2020). Progression of motivation models in exercise Science: Where have we been and where are we heading. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (4th ed., pp. 913-928). Wiley.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Liu, S., Husband, C., La, H., Juba, M., Loucks, R., Harrison, A., & Rhodes, R. E. (2019). Development of a self-guided web-based intervention to promote physical activity using the multi-process action control framework. Internet Interventions, 15, 35-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2018.11.003
* Available online: Click here to download.

Hagger, M. S. (2019). Habit and physical activity: Theoretical advances, practical implications, and agenda for future research. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 118-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.12.007
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 1; Engaging children: The importance of enjoyment
Budzynski-Seymour, E., Jones, M., & Steele, J. (2023). “I felt I was actually inside the movie”: An eploratory study into children’s views of staging a physically active experience, with implications for future interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3624. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043624
* Available online: Click here to download.

Budzynski-Seymour, E., Jones, M., & Steele, J. (2022). «A physically active experience”: Setting the stage for a new approach to engage children in physical activity using themes entertainment experiences. Sports Medicine, 52, 2579-2591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01722-y
* Available online: Click here to download.

Meyer, S., Grob, A., & Gerber, M. (2021). No fun, no gain: The stress-buffering effect of physical activity on life satisfaction depends on adolescents’ intrinsic motivation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 56, 102004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102004
* Available online: Click here to download.

Haas, P., Yang, C., & Dunton, G. F. (2021). Associations between physical activity enjoyment and age-related decline in physical activity in children-results from a longitudinal within-person study. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 43(3), 205-214. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2020-0156
* Available online: Click here to download.

Budzynski-Seymour, E., Jones, M., & Steele, J. (2021). Can Earth’s mightiest heroes help children be physically active? Exploring the immersive qualities of Les Mills’ and Marvel’s “Move like the avengers” video. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 7184. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137184
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 3: The self in sport & physical activity: The role of self-perceptions and relations to mental health:
Haugen, T., Ommundsen, Y., & Seiler, S. (2013). The relationship between physical activity and physical self-esteem in adolescents: The role of physical fitness indices. Pediatric Exercise Science, 25(1), 138-153. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.25.1.138
* Available online: Click here to download.

Slutzky, C. B. & Simpkins, S. D. (2009). The link between children’s sport participation and self-esteem: Exploring the mediating role of sport self-concept. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(3), 381-389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.09.006
* Available online: Click here to download.

Biddle, S. J. H., Mutrie, N., & Gorely,T. (2015). Psychology of physical activity: Determinants, well-being and interventions (3rd ed., pp. 33-67). Routledge.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Crocker, P. R. E, Kowalski, K. C. & Hadd, V. (2008). The role of the self. In A. L. Smith & S. Biddle (Eds.), Youth physical activity and sedentary behavior: Challenges and solutions (pp. 215-232). Human Kinetics.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Kipp, L. E. & Weiss, M. R. (2013). Physical activity and self-perceptions among children and adolescents. In P. Ekkekakis (Ed.), The Routledge handbook of physical activity and mental health (Routledge International Handbooks) (pp. 187-199). Routledge.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Topic 4: The role of gyms in the promotion of physical activity and exercise:
Gjestvang, C., Abrahamsen, F., Stensrud, T., & Haakstad, L. A. (2020). Motives and barriers to initiation and sustained exercise adherence in a fitness club setting—A one‐year follow‐up study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 30(9), 1796-1805. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13736
* Available online: Click here to download.

Gjestvang, C., Abrahamsen, F., Stensrud, T., & Haakstad, L. A. (2021). What makes individuals stick to their exercise regime? A one-year follow-up study among novice exercisers in a fitness club setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 638928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.638928
* Available online: Click here to download.

Milkman, K. L., Gromet, D., Ho, H., Kay, J. S., Lee, T. W., Pandiloski, P., Park, Y., Rai, A., Bazerman, M., Beshears, J., Bonacorsi, L., Camerer, C., Chang, E., Chapman, G., Cialdini, R., Dai, H., Eskreis-Winkler, L., Fishbach, A., Gross, J. J., Horn, S., … Duckworth, A. L. ( (2021). Megastudies improve the impact of applied behavioural science. Nature, 600(7889), 478-483. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04128-4
* Available online: Click here to download.

Rand, M., Goyder, E., Norman, P., & Womack, R. (2020). Why do new members stop attending health and fitness venues? The importance of developing frequent and stable attendance behaviour. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 51, 101771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101771
* Available online: Click here to download.

Riseth, L., Nøst, T. H., Nilsen, T. I., & Steinsbekk, A. (2019). Long-term members’ use of fitness centers: A qualitative study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 11, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-019-0114-z
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 5: Using financial incentives to promote physical activity and health behaviour change:
Adams, J., Giles, E. L., McColl, E., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2013). Carrots, sticks and health behaviours: A framework for documenting the complexity of financial incentive interventions to change health behaviours. Health Psychology Review, 8(3), 286-295. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2013.848410
* Available online: Click here to download.

Mitchell, M. S., Orstad, S. L., Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Jay, M., Pakosh, M. T., & Faulkner, G. (2020). Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(21), 1259-1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101771
* Available online: Click here to download.

Derlyatka, A., Fomenko, O., Eck, F., Khmelev, E., & Elliott, M. T. (2019). Bright spots, physical activity investments that work: Sweatcoin: A steps generated virtual currency for sustained physical activity behaviour change. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(18), 1195-1196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099739
* Available online: Click here to download.

Moller, A. C., Ntoumanis, N., & Williams, G. C. (2019). Financial incentives may influence health behaviors, but do we end up with less than we paid for? A self-determination theory perspective. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53(11), 939-941. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaz038
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 6: The effects of exercise on anxiety and depression
Arent, S. M., Walker, A. J., & Arent, M. A. (2020). The effects of exercise on anxiety and depression. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (4th ed., pp. 872-890). Wiley.
* Available as PDF through Canvas.
(Cleared through Kopinor 25.09.23./AGG- Bibl.)

Olive, L., Dober, M., Mazza, C., Turner, A., Mohebbi, M. Berk, M & Telford, R. (2023). Surf therapy for improving child and adolescent mental health: A pilot randomised control trial. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 65, 102349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102349
* Available online: Click here to download.

Sørensen, M., Bentzen, M., & Farholm, A. (2020). Lessons learned from a physical activity intervention in psychiatric treatment: Patient, staff, and leader perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00087
* Available online: Click here to download.

Sørensen, M., Bentzen, M., & Farholm, A. (2021). Motivational physical activity intervention for psychiatric inpatients: A two phased single-cases experimental study. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity,14(2). https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2021.008
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 7: Is exercise always a good thing?
Bratland-Sanda, S., Schmidt, S. K., Reinboth, M. S. & Vrabel, K. A. (2022). Under pressure to exercise: A cross-sectional study of characteristics and predictors of compulsive exercise in early adolescents. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00686-8
* Available online: Click here to download.

Knapp, S., Miller, A., Outar, L., & Turner, M. (2023). Psychological well-being and exercise addiction: The treatment effects of an REBT intervention for females. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 64, 102298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102298
* Available online: Click here to download.

Gjestvang, C., Bratland-Sanda, S., & Mathisen, T. F. (2021). Compulsive exercise and mental health challenges in fitness instructors: Presence and interactions. Journal of Eating Disorders, 9(1), 107. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-021-00446-0
* Available online: Click here to download.

Bratland-Sanda, S., Mathisen, T. F., Sundgot-Borgen, J., & Rosenvinge, J. H. (2019). Defining compulsive exercise in eating disorders: Acknowledging the exercise paradox and exercise obsessions. Journal of Eating Disorders, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-019-0238-2
* Available online: Click here to download.

Topic 8: Exercise for the elderly:
Izquierdo, M., Duque, G., & Morley, J. E. (2021). Physical activity guidelines for older people: Knowledge gaps and future directions. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 2(6), e380-e383. https://doi.org/0.1016/S2666-7568(21)00079-9
* Available online: Click here to download.

Martín-Moya, R., Ruiz-Montero, P. J., García, E. R., & Leeson, G. (2020). Psychological and environmental factors for older adults to exercise: A systematic review. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 29(2), 93-104. https://www.rpd-online.com/index.php/rpd/article/view/16
* Available online: Click here to download.

Olsen, C. F., Telenius, E. W., Engedal, K., & Bergland, A. (2015). Increased self-efficacy: The experience of high-intensity exercise of nursing home residents with dementia: A qualitative study. BMC health services research, 15, 379. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1041-7
* Available online: Click here to download.

Spiteri, K., Broom, D., Bekhet, A. H., de Caro, J. X., Laventure, B., & Grafton, K. (2019). Barriers and motivators of physical activity participation in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(6), 929-944. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2018-0343
* Available online: Click here to download.

Telenius, E. W., Tangen, G. G., Eriksen, S., & Rokstad, A. M. M. (2022). Fun and a meaningful routine: The experience of physical activity in people with dementia. BMC geriatrics, 22(1), 500. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03149-6
* Available online: Click here to download.

Zubala, A., MacGillivray, S., Frost, H., Kroll, T., Skelton, D. A., Gavine, A., Gray, N. M., Toma, M., & Morris, J. (2017). Promotion of physical activity interventions for community dwelling older adults: A systematic review of reviews. Plos One, 12(7), e0180902. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180902
* Available online: Click here to download.