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Exercise and Physical Activity

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Handbook of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Rehabilitation and Health ((SSRH))

Abstract

Psychologists working in health promotion and rehabilitation settings can often use their evaluation and intervention skills to help individuals adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles, including increased physical activity. Their expertise in theories and methods of behavior change can also make an important contribution to the design and implementation of specialized exercise and physical activity programs for high-risk groups and even entire communities. We begin this chapter with a brief discussion of physical activity behavior in the United States today and its importance in public health. We describe methods of assessing health-related physical activity and exercise that can be useful in different settings and applications. We briefly describe two behavioral models we believe will lead to improved exercise-promotion interventions. In the final two sections, we briefly present examples of interventions to increase physical activity and discuss physical activity promotion in groups that have until recently received little attention from researchers in this area: minorities, women, and the elderly.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, USA

    Patricia M. Dubbert

  2. Department of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 60616, USA

    Barbara A. Stetson

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  1. Patricia M. Dubbert
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  2. Barbara A. Stetson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Highland Drive Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206, USA

    Anthony J. Goreczny

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Dubbert, P.M., Stetson, B.A. (1995). Exercise and Physical Activity. In: Goreczny, A.J. (eds) Handbook of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology. Springer Series in Rehabilitation and Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1028-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1028-8_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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