Physical exercise has long been promoted as a means of enhancing or restoring physical health. However, it has become increasingly recognized that exercise has important beneficial effects on mental health. This presentation will provide a broad overview of research findings regarding the psychological effects of exercise, with an emphasis on practical information. Findings from research on the psychological impact of different types of both land and water-based exercise will be summarized, as will information in who is most and least likely to benefit psychologically. The potential means by which exercise affects mental health will be also be presented, as will evidence that exercise may sometimes have detrimental psychological effects. Jack Raglin is currently a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University-Bloomington, and past Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the school of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He teaches courses in sport psychology and research methods. One of his primary areas of research addresses the psychological consequences of physical exercise on mental health and he has published studies on both the benefits of exercise and the potential risks of overtraining for sports such as swimming. He is a section editor of the Journal of Swimming Research and a Fellow in several professional societies including the American College of Sports Medicine; the Divisions of Health Psychology, and Exercise and Sport Psychology of the American Psychological Association; and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
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