ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book has been developed to complement other similar books in the area of clinical exercise science by bringing together expert exercise practitioners in the United Kingdom (UK) who also have an academic background, to provide evidence-based exercise guidance that academic texts in clinical exercise do not provide. It presents the authors' experience of promoting health behaviours in a physical activity context, particularly relating to exercise referral services in the UK. The use of physical activity counselling underpinned by psychological principles is under-utilised in the UK, with behavioural medicine still not as available as traditional medicine in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and disorders. Clinical exercise science is a growing field in the UK, with more sport and exercise graduates being trained in the application of exercise to healthcare, and growing connections between exercise professionals and medical professionals and physiotherapists.
