"Guy and Adrian, with this book, have enabled the field to take a step forward"
Stuart Biddle, PhD
Professor of Exercise and Sport Psychology, Loughborough University

'It's gratifying to see interest in these important areas mature, and it's about time that someone accumulated the evidence in a way that can help guide practitioners and researchers alike. Well done.' - Rod K. Dishman, University of Georgia, USA

'It is the emerging relationships which characterise this book. The editors' decision to break new ground is richly rewarded.' - The Sport and Exercise Scientist 

'... moves our knowledge beyond just a broad and superficial understanding. The editors have clearly affirmed the role that physical activity ... can play in enhancing individual and societal well being.' - Sport & Exercise Psychology Review

?Students will find this book stimulating in terms of developing research ideas and as a model for presenting data.? - Liz Cort, Nurse Researcher, Nursing Standard

The first of its kind, this book is written by internationally acclaimed scientists and presents an introduction to the emerging field of exercise as a strategy for mental health promotion, providing a platform for future research and practice.

Can a sedentary lifestyle have an adverse effect on mental health?

Does exercise help people cope better with chronic physical illness, sleep disorders and smoking cessation?

As alternative approaches to health and social care gain wider acceptance, exercise is being adopted as a strategy for mental health promotion in a variety of settings.

Exercise, Health and Mental Health provides an introduction to this emerging field and a platform for future research and practice. Written by internationally acclaimed exercise, health and medical scientists, this is the first systematic review of the evidence for the psychological role of exercise in:

*treating and managing mental health problems including dementia, schizophrenia, drug and alcohol dependence
*coping with chronic clinical conditions including cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS
*enhancing wellbeing in the general population ? by improving sleep, assisting in smoking cessation, and as a way of addressing broader social issues such as antisocial behaviour

Adopting a consistent and accessible format, the research findings for each topic are summarised and critically examined for their implications. For students and researchers, the book provides an authoritative guide to current issues and future research. For exercise professionals, health practitioners and policymakers, it is a basis for the development of evidence-based practice.

Guy Faulkner is Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Health at the University of Toronto, Canada. Guy?s research interests lie primarily within the field of physical activity and psychological well-being. Recent projects focus on exercise as an adjunctive therapy for schizophrenia, evaluating the Walking for Health Initiative for the Countryside Agency in relation to users of mental health services, conceptualising the body in experiences of mental health, and identifying the barriers to the diffusion of exercise as an adjunct treatment in clinical health services. Future research will continue to explore these themes. Other interests include the promotion of physical activity in community and rehabilitation settings, optimising the delivery to athletes of psychological skills training and qualitative research methodology.

Adrian Taylor is Reader in Exercise and Health Psychology in the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, UK. His work has focused on three main themes: (1) Psycho-social determinants of sport and exercise behaviour; (2) The effectiveness of physical activity promotion interventions; and (3) Physical activity and psychological well-being. Adrian co-authored the NHS National Quality Assurance Framework for exercise referral schemes (www.doh.gov.uk/exercisereferrals) and with co-authors published the Cochrane review on the effects of exercise on smoking cessation (http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane/revabstr/ab002295.htm).