ABSTRACT
A common belief is that participation in appropriate physical activity programs can aid in the development, improvement, and maintenance of a variety of physiological, psychological and social aspects of the individual. Some avid proponents of the psychological benefits of physical activity have maintained that exercise can have a notable effect upon self concept, self esteem, personality, confidence, body image, and social adjustment. While systematic and well controlled research in each of these areas has not been totally convincing, an accumulation of material suggests that physical exercise can influence body image, self concept and subsequent behavioral change. Many practicing health professionals have experienced the problems generated when a client has poor self concept and body image. Foremost among these problems is a noncooperative attitude or outright abstinence from physical activities related to the rehabilitation process. Such an attitude may slow the recovery process and, in some instances, prevent a patient from experiencing full recovery from physically debilitating operations or injury.
