Physical Activity Across the Lifespan - Prevention and Treatment for Health and Well-Being

The statistics are disturbing: steadily rising numbers of sedentary overweight children and obese teens, and a generation looking at a shorter life expectancy than their parents'. But while it may be obvious that physical fitness benefits both the mind and body, a growing research base is supplying evidence of why this is so, and how these benefits may be reproduced in greater numbers.

Physical Activity Across the Lifespan makes a clear, scientific case for exercise, sports, and an active lifestyle in preventing illness and establishing lifetime health habits at both the individual and the population levels. The book focuses on key aspects of physical/mental well-being-weight, mood, and self-regulation-and the role of physical activity in public health and school-based interventions targeting these areas. Contributors review definitional and measurement issues salient to understanding what physical activity is, to analyzing benefits of participation, and to implementing effective interventions. Also addressed are limitations of current research, steps needed to continue building the field, and emerging therapeutic possibilities for activity, such as the role of rough and tumble play in preventing ADHD.

Included in the coverage:

Physical activity, cognition, and school performance.
The influence of social and built environments on physical activity in middle-aged and older adults.
Preventing and treating obesity through physical activity.
Physical activity in preventing drug use and treating chemical dependence.
Antidepressant properties of physical activity.
Schools as a foundation for physical activity and an active lifestyle.
Physical activity as an adjunct or booster to existing interventions.

Physical Activity Across the Lifespan is an innovative text for researchers and practitioners in various disciplines including health promotion/diseaseprevention, child and school psychology, education, health psychology, and public health, as well as program developers and policymakers in these areas.

List of contents

Preface; A. L. Meyer, T. P. Gullotta.- Chapter 1. Definitional Issues and Knowledge Gaps; A. Diana.- Chapter 2. Reflections on Rough and Tumble Play, Social Development, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD); J. Panksepp, E. L. Scott.- Chapter 3. Physical Activity, Cognition, and School Performance: From Neurons to Neighborhoods; D. M. Castelli, C. H. Hillman.- Chapter 4. Influences of Social and Built Environments on Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults; F. Li.- Chapter 5. Physical Activity as Depression Treatment; L. L. Craft.- Chapter 6. Physical Activity for the Prevention of Depression; B. M. Kwan, K. J. Davis, A. L. Dunn.- Chapter 7. Physical Activity as Treatment for Obesity; E. Jelalian, A. Sato.- Chapter 8. Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention; N. Zarrett, D. K. Wilson.- Chapter 9. The Role of Physical Activity in Treatment of Substance Use Disorders; D. Pekmezi, L. Carr, B. Barbera, B. H. Marcus.- Chapter 10. Physical Activity for the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Drug Abuse; A. L. Meyer, A. Diana, E. Robertson.- Chapter 11. Individual-Level Behavior Change Strategies to Promote Physical Activity; K. Davis, S. Hubley, J. Leiferman.- Chapter 12. The Mandate for Movement: Schools as Agents of Change; J. J. Ratey, J. Sattelmair, S. Pelican.- Epilogue; T. P. Gullotta, A. L. Meyer.

About the author

Thomas P. Gullotta is C.E.O. of Child and Family Agency and is a member of the psychology and education departments at Eastern Connecticut State University. He is the senior author of the 4th edition of The Adolescent Experience, co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion, and is editor emeritus of the Journal of Primary Prevention. He is the senior book series editor for Issues in Children's and Families' Lives. He holds editorial appointments on the Journal of Early Adolescence, The Journal of Adolescent Research and the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation. He was honored in 1999 by the Society for Community Research and Action, Division 27 of the American Psychological Association with their Distinguished Contributions to Practice in Community Psychology Award.

Summary

The statistics are disturbing: steadily rising numbers of sedentary overweight children and obese teens, and a generation looking at a shorter life expectancy than their parents’. But while it may be obvious that physical fitness benefits both the mind and body, a growing research base is supplying evidence of why this is so, and how these benefits may be reproduced in greater numbers.
Physical Activity Across the Lifespan makes a clear, scientific case for exercise, sports, and an active lifestyle in preventing illness and establishing lifetime health habits at both the individual and the population levels. The book focuses on key aspects of physical/mental well-being—weight, mood, and self-regulation—and the role of physical activity in public health and school-based interventions targeting these areas. Contributors review definitional and measurement issues salient to understanding what physical activity is, to analyzing benefits of participation, and to implementing effective interventions. Also addressed are limitations of current research, steps needed to continue building the field, and emerging therapeutic possibilities for activity, such as the role of rough and tumble play in preventing ADHD.
Included in the coverage:
Physical activity, cognition, and school performance.
The influence of social and built environments on physical activity in middle-aged and older adults.
Preventing and treating obesity through physical activity.
Physical activity in preventing drug use and treating chemical dependence.
Antidepressant properties of physical activity.
Schools as a foundation for physical activity and an active lifestyle.
Physical activity as an adjunct or booster to existing interventions.
Physical Activity Across the Lifespan is an innovative text for researchers and practitioners in various disciplines including health promotion/diseaseprevention, child and school psychology, education, health psychology, and public health, as well as program developers and policymakers in these areas.

Additional text

From the reviews:
“Educating people about the importance of physical activity, modeling physical activity at a young age to enhance academic performance, and establishing a lifetime of good habits is the goal here. The book is easy to understand and an excellent resource for practitioners (e.g., physical activity professionals, therapists) who may need to educate their constituents that the benefits of physical activity are numerous and can impact quality of life. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general audiences.” (N. L. Goggin, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013)

Report

From the reviews:
"Educating people about the importance of physical activity, modeling physical activity at a young age to enhance academic performance, and establishing a lifetime of good habits is the goal here. The book is easy to understand and an excellent resource for practitioners (e.g., physical activity professionals, therapists) who may need to educate their constituents that the benefits of physical activity are numerous and can impact quality of life. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general audiences." (N. L. Goggin, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013)

Product details

• Assisted by: Thomas P. Gullotta (Editor), Alet L Meyer (Editor), Aleta L Meyer (Editor), Aleta L. Meyer (Editor), P Gullotta (Editor), P Gullotta (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2014
• EAN: 9781493902064
• ISBN: 978-1-4939-0206-4
• No. of pages: 276
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 235 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 462 g
• Illustrations: XXIV, 276 p.
• Series: Issues in Children's and Families' Lives; Issues in Children's and Families' Lives
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General