Availabilities:

Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour Session 2 Session 2
Gold Coast Session 2 Session 2
Lismore Session 2 Session 2

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Health and Human Sciences

Unit aim

Provides students with knowledge of the concepts of Exercise Psychology. Theory provides an understanding of the psychological skills that can be utilised for working with health and exercise and sport participants, within both general and special populations. Exercise adherence will be highlighted, with a theoretical underpinning of current interventions and motivational strategies.

Unit content

  • Foundations and basic concepts of Exercise Psychology
  • Theories of Behaviour Change
  • Behavioural neuroscience and behaviour modification
  • Interventions to change physical activity behaviour – environment and policy-based interventions
  • Interventions to change physical activity behaviour – goal setting, mediators and barriers
  • Determinants of health, exercise and sport
  • Best practice to change physical activity behaviour – health education
  • Exercise and Mental Health
  • Affect, Mood and Emotion – neuroanatomy and role of exercise
  • Anxiety – effects of exercise
  • Exercise and Self Esteem – theories and models
  • Depression – mechanisms and role of exercise
  • Sleep – research focused on exercise and sleep

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 describe current and evidence-based theory in Exercise Psychology
2 evaluate the application of Exercise Psychology theory for the enhancement of well-being and quality of life within both general and special populations
3 distinguish the influences that selected psychological factors have on participation in health, exercise and sport-related skill areas and how these areas influence psychological factors
4 analyse and understand behaviour in the health, exercise and sport contexts from an ecological perspective
5 demonstrate understanding and ability with the application of relevant psychosocial measures and behavioural tools.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. describe current and evidence-based theory in Exercise Psychology
    • GA4:
  2. evaluate the application of Exercise Psychology theory for the enhancement of well-being and quality of life within both general and special populations
    • GA1:
  3. distinguish the influences that selected psychological factors have on participation in health, exercise and sport-related skill areas and how these areas influence psychological factors
    • GA4:
  4. analyse and understand behaviour in the health, exercise and sport contexts from an ecological perspective
    • GA1:
  5. demonstrate understanding and ability with the application of relevant psychosocial measures and behavioural tools.
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Buckworth, J, Dishman, RK, O’Connor, PJ & Tomporowski, P, 2013, Exercise Psychology, 2nd edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.