The Psychological Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity

In response to the demands of an increasingly complex society, more and more individuals are turning to exercise to promote their psychological well-being. The Psychological Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity explores the psychological outcomes that are known to be affected by physical activity behaviors. Rooted firmly in foundational science, the text offers opportunities for self-reflection and application, with an emphasis on physical activity recommendations and dose–response relationships supported by research.

Whereas most exercise psychology texts center around psychological theory or interventions, The Psychological Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity focuses on psychological outcomes, such as the effects on depression and anxiety, as well as the impact on cognitive performance, memory, pain, and sleep. Written by Jennifer L. Etnier, PhD, who previously served as president of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA), the full-color text includes engaging illustrations to help students visualize complex information, and the content is organized to be delivered in a semester-long course.

The introductory chapters (chapters 1-3) set the stage with the history of exercise psychology, theories, and mechanisms proposed to explain research terminology and psychological benefits of exercise. In the remainder of the text (chapters 4-14), each chapter is dedicated to a particular outcome or psychological aspect. Each of these chapters begins with a vignette that provides a real-world example of why questions of exercise and the outcome are important. These chapters uncover the causes of particular psychological conditions and explore how exercise might affect those causes. Next, key research on the potential benefits of exercise for that specific psychological concern is examined. Each chapter closes with a chapter summary and discussion questions.

Throughout the text, sidebars introduce thought-provoking ideas, provide opportunities for self-reflection, or describe interesting research studies that will help engage students. The text also includes learning objectives and key terms to further enhance student learning.

The Psychological Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity offers students a comprehensive overview of how the mind benefits from physical activity behaviors. It is an essential text for any person interested in motivating others and promoting physical activity for beneficial psychological outcomes.

Jennifer L. Etnier, PhD, is a Julia Taylor Morton Distinguished Professor and chair in the department of kinesiology in the School of Health and Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she has received the Health and Human Performance Teaching Award, UNCG Alumni Teaching Excellence Award, and Senior Research Excellence Award. She is an accomplished scholar, with nearly 100 publications and over 150 presentations, and has received over $3.8 million in external funding to support her research. In addition to her data-based scholarship, Etnier has written two books for youth sport participants (Bring Your ‘A’ Game and Coaching for the Love of the Game), has given over 20 podcast and radio interviews touching on youth sport issues, and is the author of a New York Times op-ed titled “Your Kids’ Coach Is Probably Doing It Wrong.”

Etnier is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK). She previously served as president of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) and as editor of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, associate editor for the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, and section editor for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. She is currently an editorial board member for five peer-reviewed journals. In her free time, Etnier is an exercise enthusiast who loves to play soccer and pickleball, downhill ski, hike, bike, and paddle.