Ch.

18 Summary – Exercise & Psychological Well-Being – Ryan Collins

This chapter starts a new section centered around enhancing general health and well-being. Some

of the concepts are tailored more towards lifetime health and happiness through exercise while still giving

concepts applicable to competitive athletics. In subsequent chapters well discuss the major concepts

including injuries, post sport life, and adherence to exercise or practice.

The first major concept covered that affects competitive athletes and lifetime exercisers is the

affects of exercise on depression and anxiety. We’re told early that 1 in 4 Americans has clinical

depression and that statistic is just enormous. This is something I’ve personally struggled with especially

in the previous year as I experienced career changes and personal experiences as well over the years.

Working with high school kids and adolescence and young adults through college too I’ve seen many

people struggle and face bouts or longer lasting periods of depression especially as we seem to be in an

era of more teen and adolescent suicides than ever. We as professionals have a obligation to help guide

and develop our young people regardless if they are exceling or struggling personally and recommend

professional resources as appropriate and in accordance with mandatory reporting and anything else

similar for an individual’s well-being. We read in this section about many of the benefits of regular

exercise in reducing depression and enhancing mood.

There are many increased positive benefits and simultaneously reduced negative traits that result

from exercise that can greatly help with personal happiness and increased production in other settings

such as the workplace. Some of the benefits include increased academic performance, assertiveness,

confidence, self-control, and emotional stability. These seem to stem from an interaction of physiological

and psychological mechanisms together that result in the positive effects mentioned.

I think it’s been well known many of the positives that accompany exercise particularly on a

regular basis, but this chapter provides good insight and references to exactly what these may be and to

how use and frame exercise for clients or those we work with to help them realize and want to enjoy the

many positive benefits of exercising.