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Relationships Between Mental Toughness, Barriers To Exercise, And Exercise Behaviour In Undergraduate Students, Elizabeth Stamp, Lee Crust, Christian F. Swann, John Perry

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The present study explored relationships between mental toughness (MT), barriers to exercise, and self-reported exercise behaviour in university students. Perceived barriers to exercise are important since previous work has identified barriers as strong predictors of exercise behaviour. MT was hypothesised to predict exercise barriers and self-reported exercise behaviour. Participants were 173 undergraduate students (45 men, 128 women) from 10 United Kingdom universities. Questionnaires were used to assess MT, exercise levels, and exercise barriers. Path analysis identified that MT predicted barriers to exercise, with higher MT associated with weaker perceived barriers. Regular exercisers were found to have significantly higher MT than …

Can Trying To Meet Specific Exercise Goals Put Us Off Being Active Altogether?, Christian F. Swann, Simon Rosenbaum

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Encouraging people to meet specific fitness goals when they are new to exercising can be ineffective. In fact, it may even make it harder to become active, according to an editorial published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Exercise Mental Toughness: Perceptions Of Exercise Leaders And Regular Exercisers, Lee Crust, Christian F. Swann, Jacquelyn Allen-Collinson, Jeff Breckon, Robert Weinberg

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Although elite sport has provided an ideal context for exploring mental toughness (MT), currently, there is scant research examining how this construct might be equally applicable in exercise settings, where high rates of attrition have been reported. The present research, therefore, aimed to address this gap, and to understand and conceptualise exercise mental toughness (EMT) through in-depth phenomenological interviews with a range of exercise leaders and exercise participants. Seven qualified and experienced exercise leaders and seven regular and frequent exercisers from formal exercise environments (i.e. gym and fitness classes) were interviewed. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed independently …

Effect Of Concentric And Eccentric Velocity During Heavy-Load Non-Ballistic Elbow Flexion Resistance Exercise, John Sampson, Allison Donohoe, Herbert Groeller

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: The current study provided a longitudinal evaluation of the anthropometric and fitness characteristics in junior rugby league players across three annual-age categories (i.e., under 13s, 14s and 15s) considering playing position and selection level.

Design: Longitudinal design.

Methods: Eighty-one junior rugby league players selected to a talent development programme were tracked over a two year period. Anthropometric (height, sitting height, body mass and sum of four skinfolds) and fitness (lower and upper body power, speed, change of direction speed and maximal aerobic power) characteristics were measured on three occasions (i.e., under 13s, 14s and 15s). Repeated measures multivariate analysis …

Steps Toward Improving Diet And Exercise For Cancer Survivors (Stride): A Quasi-Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol, Lauren J. Frensham, Dorota M. Zarnowiecki, Gaynor C. Parfitt, Rebecca M. Stanley, James Dollman

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background Cancer survivorship rates have increased in developed countries largely due to population ageing and improvements in cancer care. Survivorship is a neglected phase of cancer treatment and is often associated with adverse physical and psychological effects. There is a need for broadly accessible, non-pharmacological measures that may prolong disease-free survival, reduce or alleviate co-morbidities and enhance quality of life. The aim of the Steps TowaRd Improving Diet and Exercise (STRIDE) study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an online-delivered physical activity intervention for increasing walking in cancer survivors living in metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia. Methods/Design This …

Complementary Medicine, Exercise, Meditation, Diet, And Lifestyle Modification For Anxiety Disorders: A Review Of Current Evidence, J Sarris, S Moylan, David Camfield, M P. Pase, D Mischoulon, M Berk, F N. Jacka, I Schweitzer

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Use of complementary medicines and therapies (CAM) and modification of lifestyle factors such as physical activity, exercise, and diet are being increasingly considered as potential therapeutic options for anxiety disorders. The objective of this metareview was to examine evidence across a broad range of CAM and lifestyle interventions in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In early 2012 we conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library, for key studies, systematic reviews, and metaanalyses in the area. Our paper found that in respect to treatment of generalized anxiety or specific disorders, CAM evidence …

"They All Work...When You Stick To Them": A Qualitative Investigation Of Dieting, Weight Loss, And Physical Exercise, In Obese Individuals, Samantha L. Thomas, Jim Hyde, Asuntha Karunaratne, Rick Kausman, Paul Komesaroff

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background To explore the extent to which people living with obesity have attempted to lose weight, their attitudes towards dieting, physical exercise and weight loss solutions, why their weight loss attempts have failed, and their opinions about what would be most beneficial to them in their struggle with their weight. Method Qualitative study, using open-ended interviews, of 76 people living with obesity in Victoria, Australia in 2006/7. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or over were recruited using articles in local newspapers, convenience sampling, and at a later stage purposive sampling techniques to diversify the sample. Data analysis was conducted …