SPSC3318 Exercise and Psychological Health
10 Credits Class Size: 75
Module manager: Dr Shaunna Burke
Email: S.Burke@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running
2025/26
Pre-requisite qualifications
Background in Sport Psychology, or passed at least Level 1 of a Psychology undergraduate degree.
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students will be able to:
- Critically analyse research in the field of exercise and health psychology;
- Describe the key theoretical models underpinning behaviour change;
- Demonstrate an understanding of how exercise is used as an intervention to promote psychological health;
- Critically review the maladaptive consequences of exercise on psychological health;
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of exercise prescription from a psychological perspective;
- Qualitatively analyse experiences of sedentary behaviour and provide recommendations to enhance exercise adherence.
Syllabus
In this module, students will explore a variety of topics related to exercise and psychological health.
These will include:
- exercise and quality of life;
- exercise and self-perceptions;
- mood and exercise;
- models of exercise behaviour;
- strategies and interventions to enhance exercise adherence;
- dose-response debate;
- exercise dependence;
- body image and eating disorders in sport and exercise.
Many of these will be analysed in relation to the 'normal' population and a clinical population (eg clinically depressed or anxious individuals).
Teaching Methods
| Delivery type |
Number |
Length hours |
Student hours |
| On-line Learning |
10 |
1 |
10 |
| Workshop |
3 |
2 |
6 |
| Lecture |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Seminar |
2 |
1.5 |
3 |
| Private study hours |
80 |
| Total Contact hours |
20 |
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) |
100 |
Private study
- 3 hours reading per lecture: 30 hours
- Poster preparation: 40 hours
- Self-directed learning: 10 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Formative feedback from seminar (weeks 2-5)
- Poster presentation feedback (week 10).
Methods of Assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type |
Notes |
% of formal assessment |
| Poster |
Individual Poster |
70 |
| Poster |
Group Poster |
30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) |
100 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading List
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 26/09/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team