With approximately 1 in 6 adults likely to experience a significant mental health problem at any one time (Office for National Statistics), research into effective interventions has never been more important. During the past decade there has been an increasing interest in the role that sport and physical activity can play in the treatment of mental health problems, and in mental health promotion. The benefits resulting from physiological changes during exercise are well documented, including improvement in mood and control of anxiety and depression. Research also suggests that socio-cultural and psychological changes arising from engagement in sport and physical activity carry valuable mental health benefits. Sport and Physical Activity for Mental Health is an evidence-based practical guide for nurses, allied health professionals, social workers, physical activity leaders, and sport coaches. The authors provide comprehensive analysis of a broad range of client narratives, integrating theory and the latest research to explore the effectiveness of various interventions. The book offers readers detailed recommendations, suggestions, and ideas as to how sport and physical activity opportunities can be tailored to provide the greatest mental health benefits.

The Complete Guide to Physical Activity and Mental Health is a practical guide for fitness instructors working with clients with mental health issues. The book looks at the signs and symptoms, treatment plans and how to approach developing an exercise programme for a range of mental health conditions. From depression, stress, anxiety and eating disorders this book offers background information on the prevalence and various available treatment of each condition discussed. Clearly illustrated throughout with a section examining the specific symptoms and causes of a range of mental health conditions, it will provide fitness professionals all they need when planning an exercise programme to suit their clients. Written in an accessible style by a well-established consultant in the fitness industry, it will appeal to exercise instructors, and fitness professionals working towards the New Level 4 qualification. Including real-life case studies, advice on communication and development strategies when working with clients, this book puts theory into practice.

Exercise-Based Interventions for People with Mental Illness: A Clinical Guide to Physical Activity as Part of Treatment provides clinicians with detailed, practical strategies for developing, implementing and evaluating physical activity-based interventions for people with mental illness. The book covers exercise strategies specifically tailored for common mental illnesses, such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and more. Each chapter presents an overview of the basic psychopathology of each illness, a justification and rationale for using a physical activity intervention, an overview of the evidence base, and clear and concise instructions on practical implementation. In addition, the book covers the use of mobile technology to increase physical activity in people with mental illness, discusses exercise programming for inpatients, and presents behavioral and psychological approaches to maximize exercise interventions. Final sections provide practical strategies to both implement and evaluate physical activity interventions. - Covers interventions for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, alcohol use disorder, and more - Provides the evidence base for exercise as an effective treatment for mental illness - Demonstrates how to use mobile technology to increase physical activity in people with mental illness - Features practical strategies for implementation and assessment - Covers treatment approaches for patients of all ages

Inspiring strategies from a wellness expert for keeping fit, relieving stress, and strengthening emotional well-being. We all know that exercise is good for physical health, but recently, a wealth of data has proven that exercise also contributes to overall mental well-being. Routine exercise alleviates stress and anxiety, moderates depression, relieves chronic pain, and improves self-esteem. In this inspiring book, Christina Hibbert, a clinical psychologist and expert on women's mental health, grief, and self-esteem, explains the connections between exercise and mental well-being and offers readers step-by-step strategies for sticking to fitness goals, overcoming motivation challenges and roadblocks to working out, and maintaining a physically and emotionally healthy exercise regimen. This book will help readers to get moving, stay moving, and maintain the inspiration they need to reap the mental health benefits of regular exercise. The 8 keys include improving self-esteem with exercise, exercising as a family, getting motivated, changing how you think about exercise, and the FITT principle for establishing an effective exercise routine.

An indispensable home reference for women, from the college years to old age, "The Complete Guide to Mental Health For Women" is designed to help women take control of their mental health, whether their concern is a specific disorder or simply the psychological stresses of a life in transition.

The Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Fitness is an invaluable reference manual for anyone involved in prescribing exercise programmes for pregnant women. Packed with practical tips on designing activity programmes, as well as how to apply the correct techniques to over 40 exercises, aided by full colour photos. This is an up-to-date practical guide to the underpinning theory and includes comprehensive recommended reading for each chapter. Learn about the physiological changes during pregnancy and how this affects exercise programmes, including contra-indications to be considered when working with pregnant clients. Also covered are the required legal and insurance elements.

Exercise can help prevent and treat a wide variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease and mobility disorders, and fitness professionals are increasingly working with referred patients as part of their treatment. Formerly published as Fitness Professionals: GP Referral Schemes, the new edition of this established and definitive guide includes the latest information from sources such as NICE and ACSM as well as a new chapter on session plans to provide fresh ideas for working with your clients. Written by a highly experienced exercise professional, this book covers: exercise guidelines for different medical conditions strategies for working with exercise referral clients approaches to activity and programme design health, safety and risk management.

A major new textbook with strong international appeal and the first to bring together research in this fascinating and important area, it has the potential to become the standard text for a very large market One in four adults experiences mental health problems. The health cost of this is massive and there’s now significant interest in activity and exercise therapy from government down. Follows on from Routledge's successful publications Psychology of Physical Activity (Biddle & Mutrie) and Physical Activity and Psychological Wellbeing (Biddle, Fox et al)

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.