Page 10 - seminars

SPORTS FOR MENTAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH

ASSOC. PROF. DR. ATAHAN ALTINTAŞ
Baskent University Faculty of Health Sciences,
Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Today, the importance of exercise and sports for psychological health is an undeniable fact. In particular,
both physiological and psychological negative effects of sedentary life on the human body, which emerged
with the development of technology, are observed all over the world (Bouchard et al., 2007; Gilmour,
2007). Although these negative effects are known, the low number of participation in exercise or sports
draws attention. In this context, it is necessary to mention many factors that affect people's participation
in physical activity. Socio-demographic (age, gender, socio-economic status), biological (genetics, body
size), psychological (self-confidence, motivation, attitude), behavioral (diet, smoking and alcohol
consumption), social (social support, family attitude and intervention) Factors such as environmental
(environmental regulations, walking paths), political (education system, exercise policies, health
management) can affect participation in exercise and sports.
Despite the social, health, and personal benefits of exercise or sports, most people often cite lack of time,
energy, and motivation as the main reasons for inactivity. These three factors that play a role in a
sedentary life appear as factors that people can control. For example, studies show that this so-called lack
of time is mostly a perception rather than reality. The problem here lies entirely in priorities and time
management. Therefore, people who prioritize exercise or sports in their lives are more physically active
and psychologically healthier. Another reason for not participating in exercise is lack of energy. Lack of
energy, or in other words, what we call fatigue, is generally seen as a psychological condition related to
stress rather than a physical condition. One of these obstacles is lack of motivation. Lack of motivation to
continue physical activity, especially over a long period of time, is associated with low energy. People must
have sufficient motivation to start an exercise or sport (Weinberg & Gould, 2015). At this point, we can
talk about the positive contributions of regular exercise or sports to human life. While there is an increase

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