ABSTRACT
The link between physical activity and mental health is an interesting one that deserves further exploration. However, the efficacy of physical activity in the prevention of mental health problems, as well as in the treatment of psychological problems once they occur, has historically been based on a number of hypotheses that have yet to be confirmed. This book attempts to present an overview of our existing knowledge about physcial activity and mental health, as well as to create a research agenda for the future. Some of the existing research has led to the conclusion that physical activity does not possess affective beneficence, and this has been due in part to the inadequacy of research designs and assessment procedures. Conversely, additional research has been equally problematic, and this work has led to the conclusion that physical activity is not only beneficial, but is a panacea for many emotional ills. It is apparent that much of the existing literature in this area has suffered from a number of methodological shortcomings, and there is a need for experimentation dealing with the conditions under which physical activity will have a positive impact on mental health. It is imperative that future inquiry in this area be approached with rigorous research designs, appropriate and powerful statistical models, and state-of-the-art psychometric methods. There has been a tendency for workers in this field to argue that one model or method is better than another, but it will become apparent as this book proceeds that such debates merely reflect pseudoarguments. In short, the best or preferred method is usually governed by the question being asked. It is also important to recognize that basic, fundamental design principles must be taken into account in order to eliminate or minimize behavioral artifacts, regardless of the method being employed.
