Psychiatric illnesses are pervasive, recurrent, and debilitating and are a leading cause of global disease and disability burden. This course explores the physiological mechanisms by which mood and anxiety disorders increase chronic disease risk, with a major focus on the influence of exercise and the environment on psychobiological function.
Traditionally, exercise professionals recommend and oversee exercise programs designed to improve components of physical fitness. However, an assortment of psychological factors — including whether a client finds exercise pleasant, enjoyable, satisfying or valuable — will ultimately determine whether they remain motivated and stick to an exercise program. Moreover, many people may value what exercise can do for their levels of stress, anxiety or depression more than what it can do for their muscles, heart and lungs.
This podcast-style conversation will address several issues related to the psychology of exercise, including tips for promoting pleasure, enjoyment, well-being and positive mental health.
Fitness classes should be engaging and enjoyable! We recommend that fitness instructors are informed on the technique of mental imagery during exercise. The use of imagination may transform exercise sessions into a unique experiential activity that the exercisers will not want to lose! Learn more in this practical feature article.
It’s not just psychological — this course explores the neurochemical and electrophysiological changes behind the placebo effect, as well as potential sex differences, placebo effects, and avenues for further research.
Mental preparation doesn’t start from the inside. Instead, you first need to think about the external factors you have control over: the activity you’re going to perform, the people you’re going to perform it with, etc. Learn strategies for properly taking these external factors into account when prepping for an upcoming task or event.