THE IMPORTANCE OF ENJOYMENT TO ADHERENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS FROM PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY

The recognition tat a number of physical and psychological health benefits result from regular physical activity involvement has focused attention on the pervasive problem of poor adherence to exercise. More than fifty per cent of those initiating exercise programs lapse before attaining the desired health outcomes. It is the thesis of this paper than an emphasis on enjoyment of physical activity may have significant positive outcomes in two areas important to this issue. First, enjoyment may facilitate continued involvement in activity and in turn afford the attainment of health benefits to more participants. Second, enjoyment may have direct health implications through countering stress and facilitating positive psychological health. Pertinent research is reviewed in support of the two hypotheses. Although the underlying processes linking enjoyment to psychological health are unspecified, the association appears sufficiently strong to warrant serious consideration by those using physical activity as a treatment for such maladies as anxiety and depression. Suggestions, based on the pertinent literature, are given for enhancing enjoyment of activity.