A practical guide for professionals promoting physical activity

Peter Carlman
Karlstad University

Exercise is a highly relevant topic in today’s society. Recurring reports are raising concern about declining physical activity levels and increasing sedentary behaviour, overweight, and obesity among both young people and adults. These trends have led to a growing societal focus on promoting physical activity and movement. The second edition of Applied Exercise Psychology makes a valuable contribution to this area.

The book is primarily aimed at professionals in exercise psychology, that is, practitioners who work or will work with understanding and influencing physical activity behaviour. The purpose is to provide practitioners with the knowledge needed to design effective interventions that promote physical activity. The book is not merely a collection of theories and relevant empirical evidence; rather, it has a clear evidence-based focus aimed at enabling the reader to critically evaluate different approaches. Its goal is to support the reader in making informed decisions about how physical activity can be promoted in various contexts and for different individuals.

The book is divided into five sections that together provide a broad and practically applicable understanding of exercise psychology and how physical activity can be promoted in various contexts. The first section serves as an introduction to the psychology of exercise behaviour. It includes chapters that address demographic factors, as well as what happens in the body and brain during physical activity. This section offers an overview of behaviours associated with physical inactivity and presents models for health behaviour change. The second section explores the use and effectiveness of both traditional and innovative intervention methods for increasing physical activity. The various chapters cover psychological skill training, such as goal setting and mindfulness, as well as alternative approaches like music, olfactory cues, and exergaming. This section also highlights different methods for measuring physical activity and discusses policy issues that influence the implementation of these interventions. The third section provides a foundation for cross-cultural and demographic considerations that practitioners need to be aware of in a diverse and multicultural society. It highlights cultural awareness and cultural competence as essential components of high-quality physical activity interventions. The section also presents examples of best practices for addressing the needs of different individuals and groups, taking into account gender, socioeconomic background, disabilities, children and adolescents, as well as older adults.

It is a strength that the book aims to support the reader in making informed decisions about how to promote physical activity in different contexts and for different individuals.

The fourth section provides a comprehensive overview of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours among specific population groups and examines strategies to address common barriers to promoting physical activity. It covers individuals with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, stress, depression, mental health issues, overweight and obesity, exercise addiction, and eating disorders. The final section offers an overview of several tools that can support practitioners in their work. It covers methods such as mindfulness and positive psychology, as well as the importance of productive and person-centered communication. Additionally, ethical considerations related to content knowledge, education, and practical experience in the field are highlighted.

The book states that it is divided into five sections, but this is not reflected in the layout. To improve readability, it would have been helpful if the table of contents and chapter headings clearly followed this sectional structure. As it stands, the chapters run consecutively without distinct section divisions, which makes it harder to navigate the content, especially in a book of this size, with 34 chapters and over 500 pages. A clearer structure would have made it easier for the reader to understand the overall organization and purpose of the book.

The book presents several good practices for addressing the needs of different individuals and groups. However, it would have been interesting if individuals with dementia had been included. This is a growing group in society due to an aging population and modern lifestyles. Physical activity is often used as part of the treatment for the disease and to provide these individuals with a meaningful life. As a result, professionals working to promote physical activity are increasingly likely to encounter people with dementia. It is therefore important that they are equipped with knowledge about this group as well.

It is a strength that the book aims to support the reader in making informed decisions about how to promote physical activity in different contexts and for different individuals. This is important, as people’s motivation and ability to engage in physical activity vary greatly and are rarely explained by a single theory or method. Therefore, the book’s diversity of knowledge and perspectives serves as a valuable resource. It enables practitioners to adapt interventions based on specific contexts, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

This makes the book particularly relevant for professionals working to promote physical activity. To make informed decisions regarding the promotion of physical activity, the reader must possess professional competence. It is in the interaction between the book’s content and the reader’s knowledge that professional judgment can be exercised in real-world practical situations.

In a Swedish context, the book would be suitable for staff working with Physical Activity on Prescription (FAR). FAR is an evidence-based method in healthcare where licensed professionals prescribe physical activity as part of a treatment similar to how medications are prescribed. FAR can be used to prevent and treat a range of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, overweight, and osteoarthritis. The prescription is tailored to the individual’s health, needs, motivation, and conditions. Patients often receive support from professionals like physiotherapists or health educators and may be referred to wellness activities in the community. In this context, the book’s evidence-based focus, aimed at enabling readers to critically evaluate different approaches, can serve a meaningful purpose. By supporting readers to make informed decisions about how to promote physical activity in various contexts and for different individuals the book would be a valuable tool for those working with FAR.

Applied Exercise Psychology: The Challenging Journey from Motivation to Adherence is a relevant and valuable contribution to the field of exercise behaviour, especially for professionals working to promote physical activity. It works best as a reference guide, helping practitioners make informed decisions in the individual cases they encounter in their work.

Copyright © Pater Carlsman 2025