In this audio Professor Adrian Taylor and Dr Gaynor Parfitt discuss the evidence available to suggest that physical activity can have a beneficial effect on mental health.

Physical activity and mental health: What’s the evidence?

Psychological factors can play a significant role in sport and exercise. In sport, psychological preparation could mean the difference between winning and losing, whilst in exercise psychological factors could dictate whether or not we decide to even start an exercise programme. What are the links between exercise and mental health and what does it really take to stick to a programme of regular physical activity?

This material forms part of The Open University module E233 Sport and exercise psychology: a case study approach.

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In this audio three friends share their experiences of how psychology impacts on their sport and exercise participation.

Exploring sport and exercise psychology: Friends talking

This audio examines what it takes to stick to a programme of regular physical activity.

Keeping motivated to make a real change

In this audio exercise psychologists Professor Adrian Taylor and Dr Gaynor Parfitt explain how the transtheoretical model has been applied to the process of taking up exercise.

Exploring a model of behaviour change

This video examines the challenges of adhering to an exercise programme, focussing on the experiences of clients and trainers at a health club.

Physical activity and mental health: What’s the evidence?

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