The study of psychological processes in physical activity and health has grown considerably in recent years. “Exercise psychologists” study the psychological antecedents of physical activity and use their theoretical perspectives to inform the design and implementation of interventions to change sedentary lifestyles. In addition, involvement in physical activity can have important psychological benefits. Although we have known this for a very long time, it is only relatively recently that a systematic approach has been adopted to the accumulation of evidence. This has involved the use of experimental trials, largescale surveys, and detailed qualitative studies. Many have been brought together in well-cited meta-analytic reviews where the “effects” of exercise.
