This handbook provides an overview and synthesis of relevant literature related to leisure and recreation, and physical activity and its relationship to quality of life. Divided into two parts, the text presents the analysis of leisure and recreation studies and physical activities and sports, with diverse populations. The first part deals with leisure and recreation in relation to quality of life, with different perspectives on different age groups, ethnic groups, the approach of an Integrated Model of Leisure Well-being focusing on how leisure activities contribute to leisure well-being etc. The second part deals with physical activities and sports in relation to quality of life, discussing the consideration that "exercise is good for you", associating physical exercise with other conditions of life in society, its impact on people with disabilities, etc. It is of interest to researchers and students, legislators, educators, providers of leisure services.

A growing body of evidence shows that physical activity can be a cost-effective and safe intervention for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of mental health problems. As researchers and clinicians around the world look for evidence-supported alternatives and complements to established forms of therapy (medication and psychotherapy), interest in physical activity mounts. The Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity and Mental Health offers the most comprehensive review of the research evidence on the effects of physical activity on multiple facets of mental health. Written by a team of world-leading international experts, the book covers ten thematic areas: physical activity and the ‘feel good’ effect anxiety disorders depression and mood disorders self-perceptions and self-evaluations cognitive function across the lifespan psychosocial stress pain energy and fatigue addictions quality of life in special populations. This volume presents a balanced assessment of the research evidence, highlights important directions for future work, and draws clear links between theory, research, and clinical practice. As the most complete and authoritative resource on the topic of physical activity and mental health, this is essential reading for researchers, students and practitioners in a wide range of fields, including clinical and health psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, behavioural and preventive medicine, gerontology, nursing, public health and primary care.

This book brings together essays analyzing the impact of sport and physical activity on psychophysical well-being and quality of life, through multidisciplinary and multi-country studies. It discusses how the commercial dimension of sport entertainment and recreational dimension of sport practice have been increasingly brought together in discussions on individual health and well-being, and social integration and participation. It therefore considers the relationship between sports practice, enjoyment of sporting events, sport participation and quality of life. The chapters examine various aspects of the practice of sport for professional and recreational purposes from the perspective of age, life course research, physical education in schools, government investment in sport activities across various stages of life, the rise of sports tourism as a global industry and how social networks and web apps are changing the perception of fitness. This innovative book is of interest to scholars and students of sport science, leisure studies, and well-being research.

Physical activity, inactivity and their relationship to health are serious concerns for governments around the world. This is the first book to critically examine the policy and practice of physical activity from a multi-disciplinary, social-scientific perspective. Moving beyond the usual biophysical and epidemiological approaches, it defines and explores the key themes that are shaping the global physical activity debate. Unrivalled in its scale and scope, it presents the latest data on physical activity from around the world, including case studies from Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia. Drawing on social, economic and behavioural sciences, it covers contexts from the global to the local and introduces the dominant ideas which inform the study of physical activity. Its 41 chapters examine the use of different forms of evidence in policymaking, the role of organisations in advocating physical activity, and the practical realities of public health interventions. The Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity Policy and Practice is a landmark publication for all students, academics, policymakers and practitioners interested in the social-scientific study of sport, exercise, physical activity and public health.

The third, thoroughly revised and enhanced edition of this bestselling book analyses and discusses the most up-to-date research on the psychology of quality of life. The book is divided into six parts. The introductory part lays the philosophical and academic foundation of much of the research on wellbeing and positive mental health, showing the beneficial effects of happy people at work, health, and to society at large. Part 2 (effects of objective reality) describes how sociocultural factors, income factors, other demographic factors, and biological and health conditions affect wellbeing and positive mental health. Part 3 focuses on subjective reality and discusses how individuals process information from their objective environment, and how they manipulate this information that affects wellbeing and positive mental health. Part 4 focuses on the psychology of quality of life specific to life domains, while Part 5 reviews the research on special populations: children, women, the elderly, but also the disabled, drug addicts, prostitutes, emergency personnel, immigrants, teachers, and caregivers. The final part of the book focuses on theories and models of wellbeing and positive mental health that integrate and unify disparate concepts and programs of research. The book addresses the importance of the psychology of quality of life in the context of public policy and calls for a broadening of the approach in happiness research to incorporate other aspects of quality of life at the group, community, and societal levels. It is of topical interest to academics, students and researchers of quality of life, well-being research, happiness studies, psychotherapy, and social policy.

Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition With HKPropel Access, guides students through a study of leisure from both individual and societal perspectives. The editors and contributors, all key experts in the field, use social science methods and current research to study the multidisciplinary field of leisure and its practical applications. Relevant career opportunities within the broad scope of the leisure services delivery system are also presented. The text emphasizes inclusivity and prepares students and professionals to incorporate inclusive practices into their work. Part I of Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, examines the broad dimensions of leisure and its related industries. It looks at leisure as a social science and analyzes its societal value. Part II discusses how individual dimensions of leisure affect a person’s quality of life, physical and mental health, and level of physical activity. Part III details how recreation history informs contemporary leisure studies. It uncovers the intersection of leisure and society, family life, technology, natural resources, economics, and public policy. Part IV presents the study of leisure from a consumer perspective. Awareness of local options as well as age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status; geographic distribution of leisure spaces; and stage of development all affect an individual’s participation in and level of involvement in leisure activities. Throughout the text, students will consider the role that recreation and leisure play in their own lives. They are encouraged to seek out the resources that are available to them, learn to recognize and challenge the obstacles to participation, and commit to a leisure plan that will enhance personal growth. The book’s full-color design contains photographs and illustrations that enhance student engagement. Learning outcomes and review questions in each chapter help students set learning goals and retain key information. Vocabulary terms allow students to identify important content. Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, has been updated with current research and applications within the field. The second edition features the following enhancements to help students connect theoretical concepts to practical applications they can use in their future careers: On the Job sidebars in each chapter help students better understand common issues in the recreation and leisure workforce. Self-Exploration sidebars throughout the chapters provide opportunities for students to reflect on the role of leisure in their lives. A new chapter on leisure and family life discusses the impact of leisure on family structures and how to create valuable leisure experiences for all family members. The chapter on technology has been updated to reflect the digital advancements in leisure and their effect on individual equality and privacy. New interactive activities delivered online through HKPropel include chapter overviews, research assignments, key term flash cards, and chapter quizzes that can be automatically graded to assess student comprehension. Dimensions of Leisure for Life, Second Edition, addresses the ways that leisure affects individual lives and even our larger society. The more we understand the dimensions of leisure that contribute to quality of life for us and those in our communities, the more likely we are to appreciate them. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.