III. Is ‘Fit’ a Feminist Issue? Dilemmas for Exercise Psychology

Exercise psychologists are interested in how to promote adherence to physical activity in different segments of the population, and in the health outcomes, both physiological and psychological, from involvement in exercise (Mutrie, 1995). The current consensus is that appropriate levels of physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety and increase psychological well-being, and that people with physically active lifestyles tend to live longer and have a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes (Pate et al., 1995). In addition, Choi and Mutrie (1997) have suggested that there are particular ways, associated with reproductive function, in which involvement in physical activity and exercise could be particularly beneficial for women.

[1]  S. Coney.  The Change: Women, Ageing and the Menopause , 2002, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[2]  P. Nicolson,et al.  Female Sexuality: Psychology, Biology and Social Context , 1995 .

[3]  P. A. Mauer,et al.  Physical activity and public health. , 1995, JAMA.

[4]  P. Williams,et al.  Physical activity and public health. , 1995, JAMA.

[5]  K. Fox.  The physical self and processes in self-esteem development. , 1997 .

[6]  Margaret Morse.  Artemis Aging: Exercise and the Female Body on Video , 1988 .

[7]  B. Sharkey.  Physiology Of Fitness , 1979 .

[8]  Mike Featherstone,et al.  Lifestyle and Consumer Culture , 1987 .

[9]  N. Wenger,et al.  Cardiovascular health and disease in women. , 1993, The New England journal of medicine.

[10]  K. Patrick,et al.  Physical Activity and Public Health: A Recommendation From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine , 1995 .

[11]  N. Theberge.  Sport and women's empowerment , 1987 .

[12]  J. Whitehead,et al.  Self-esteem in children and youth: The role of sport and physical education. , 1997 .

[13]  G. McLatchie,et al.  ABC of Sports Medicine , 1999 .

[14]  Kenneth R Fox,et al.  The physical self: From motivation to well-being , 1997 .

[15]  S. Birrell,et al.  Women, Sport, and Culture , 1994 .

[16]  N. Mutrie,et al.  Psychology of physical activity and exercise. , 1991 .

[17]  P. Markula.  Firm but Shapely, Fit but Sexy, Strong but Thin: The Postmodern Aerobicizing Female Bodies , 1995 .

[18]  T. Cox,et al.  Workplace Health, Employee Fitness and Exercise , 2020 .

[19]  D. Carroll,et al.  The Health psychology of women , 1993 .

[20]  D. Whitson.  The embodiment of gender: discipline, domination and empowerment. , 1994 .

[21]  Albert V. Carron,et al.  The Psychology of Physical Activity , 2002 .