ABSTRACT
This chapter examines research findings that bear upon aging in relation to exercise—with particular reference to psychological considerations. It takes the form of interpretation and application of information for readers whose professional commitments involve understanding and guiding the motivations and behaviors of active elderly individuals. This population might be of interest to some sport psychology consultants, as elderly persons are living longer than ever before. The chapter provides answers to some of the following questions: What are the specific mechanisms underlying the psychological correlates of health and wellness? Does exercise induce neuromolecular alterations in the central nervous system of participants and influence various psychological functions? It explains the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial dynamics underlying the aging process. The chapter discusses the concepts of wellness, fitness, and health vis-a-vis exercise as well as exercise characteristics. It focuses on exercise as a putative inhibitor of aging and to its "fountain of youth" potential, including pointed reference to the effects of physical activity.
