Abstract

Although, physical activity has been called the best medicine in America today, outperforming almost every prescribed medication in the country in terms of overall impact on health, as a whole, few engage in sufficient exercise. According to the CDC, physical activity helps in weight control, reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, and strengthens bones and muscle. It has a profound effect on mental health and mood and will even reduce the risk of some types of cancer, particularly colon and breast cancers. Not only does an active lifestyle have such a significant effect of reducing and preventing many of these types of health related issues, but physical inactivity actually exacerbates and increases them. It stands to reason, then, that people’s health and well-being are robustly affected by lifestyle factors which involve behaviors that are potentially controllable by the individual.However, as many in the health-related fields have observed, it seems to be immensely more difficult to change one’s lifestyle than simply making a decision. There are many psychological components, such as the power of habit, that impact an individual’s ability to adhere to an exercise.

The following is a survey of peer-reviewed research, articles and literature on theories in exercise psychology and their application to exercise adherence. The information presented is an in-depth look at how these theories may be applied by health professionals in order to help their patients and clients adopt a health and wellness lifestyle, particularly in the exercise domain.

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2018

Senior Project Advisor

Mr. Eric Frederick

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Health & Exercise Studies

Document Type

Thesis

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