Introduction

This book addresses the psychological and cognitive benefits of exercising, the barriers and facilitators towards exercise and evidence-based programmes which have been shown to be effective in increasing how active we are. It highlights how exercise improves our behaviours, our mental health and our cognitive performance throughout each stage of life. The book considers the barriers and facilitators that impact how much exercise we do. By understanding the relative importance of the different influences on exercise, one can create a library of knowledge from which to direct and shape strategies on which to focus and evidence-based programmes which work. The book offers best practice for designing programmes or interventions which get us exercising and stay engaged with it. It also considers some interventions that have worked really well, offering great examples of programmes that are exercise based, effective and have been life-changing for all those involved.