Deck 13: Physical Activity and Mental Health

Question 1

In comparison to the general population, individuals with chronic physical and/or mental health problems tend to have a ________ incidence of depression.

A) higher
B) lower
C) similar
D) equal

Answer 1

higher

Question 2

Which neurobiological mechanism is strongly linked to the cognitive benefits that might be accrued through exercise?

A) the endorphin hypothesis
B) the neurotrophin hypothesis
C) the monamine hypothesis
D) the thermogenesis hypothesis

Answer 2

the neurotrophin hypothesis

Question 3

Research reviews on depression and exercise would suggest that

A) the antidepressant effects of exercise are not apparent at follow-up measures.
B) the length of the exercise program has no effect on decreases in depression.
C) clinicians should consider suggesting exercise as one option for treating depression.
D) only aerobic exercise is effective in reducing participant depression.

Answer 3

clinicians should consider suggesting exercise as one option for treating depression.

Question 4

Which of the following biochemicals has been termed the "brain's own morphine?"

A) pyrogens
B) dopamine
C) endorphin
D) serotonin

Question 5

According to Canadian and international data, approximately how many individuals are experiencing a mental health problem or illness at any one time?

A) 1 in 3
B) 1 in 5
C) 1 in 10
D) 1 in 20

Question 6

In their systematic review of longitudinal studies examining exercise and depression, Mammen and Faulkner (2013) found that the majority of studies demonstrated a significant, ________ relationship between baseline physical activity and depression.

A) positive
B) causal
C) bidirectional
D) inverse

Question 7

Researchers in sport and exercise psychology such as Ken Fox have focused attention on the physical self, which includes the following dimensions?

A) physical, social, vocational, academic
B) physical awareness, body composition, emotional intelligence, flexibility
C) aerobic capacity, body composition, height, muscular strength
D) physical strength, sport competence, body attractiveness, physical conditioning

Question 8

If you were going to recommend types of exercise to help a friend feel good in terms of affect based on the evidence, what would you suggest?

A) stretching and weight lifting
B) some form of vigorous aerobic exercise
C) any type of moderate aerobic exercise you enjoy
D) any of the above

Question 9

Which exercise and mental health mechanism is best explained by molecular receptor site occupancy?

A) thermogenic
B) monoamine
C) ergonomic
D) distraction

Question 10

The burden of mental illness and addiction in Ontario has been estimated as more than ________ times the burden of all cancers?

A) 1.3
B) 1.5
C) 1.7
D) 2

Question 11

According to one recent review, what is the current recommended minimum dose physical activity for the treatment of depression?

A) supervised aerobic exercise that occurs 2 times a week at a moderate intensity for a minimum of 12 weeks
B) supervised aerobic exercise that occurs 3 times a week at a moderate intensity for a minimum of 12 weeks
C) supervised aerobic exercise that occurs 2 times a week at any intensity for a minimum of 9 weeks
D) supervised aerobic exercise that occurs 3 times a week at a moderate intensity for a minimum of 9 weeks

Question 12

Research has examined the association between physical activity and all cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Based on one review, physically active individuals have demonstrated at least a ________ lower risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease compared to low active individuals.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 35%
D) 45%

Question 13

In regard to the role of physical activity in preventing mental health problems, the strongest evidence applies to the research area of ________.

A) depression
B) anxiety
C) self-concept
D) mood

Question 14

Research on the effects of exercise on monoamine activity has been primarily limited to measuring

A) metabolites in peripheral blood.
B) brain tissue occupancy.
C) metabolites in the urine.
D) VO2 (max.).

Question 15

Meta-analyses examining the effect of acute and aerobic physical activity on positive activated affect have generally shown a ________ effect.

A) nonsignificant
B) small
C) moderate
D) large

Question 16

A meta-analysis (Spence et al., 2005) examined the relationship between exercise and self-esteem. The analysis found that

A) exercise results in small but significant improvements in global self-esteem.
B) increases in physical fitness had no impact on changes in global esteem.
C) exercise results in a strong increase in self-esteem, especially the body component.
D) only global esteem but not the physical self is influenced by exercise.

Question 17

According to the meta-analytic reviews on exercise and depression covered in the textbook, the effect size for exercise versus no treatment control conditions has tended to be ________.

A) nonsignificant
B) small
C) medium
D) large

Question 18

The work of James Blumenthal has been important in developing the evidence base for using exercise as an antidepressant. However, what is one critical finding from his research that we should consider in terms of clinical implications?

A) The effects of exercise are no better than medication.
B) Participants commonly feel better more quickly with medication.
C) Exercise needs to be done in a supervised setting.
D) Exercise has more long term benefits than medication.

Question 19

According to one meta-analytic review on exercise and anxiety covered in the textbook, the effect size for exercise versus no treatment control conditions was ________.

A) nonsignificant
B) small
C) medium
D) large

Question 20

If you were going to recommend types of exercise to promote self-esteem based on the evidence, what would you suggest?

A) stretching and weight lifting
B) some form of vigorous aerobic exercise
C) any type of aerobic exercise you enjoy
D) any of the above

Question 21

Mental illness and mental health are at opposite ends of a continuum.

Question 22

In terms of explaining why exercise improves mental health, one idea is that as a person engages in exercise and experiences fitness gains or bodily changes

A) self-efficacy remains the same but self-esteem increases.
B) personality changes and results in enhanced mood.
C) self-awareness increases.
D) self-efficacy for exercise increases, and the person experiences a feeling of accomplishment.

Question 23

Men have higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders than women.

Question 24

In terms of the value of utilizing exercise in the treatment of mental health problems, which statement would you support?

A) It is unlikely that physical activity can treat mental health problems.
B) The potential benefit outweighs the risk that it would be unsuccessful.
C) The potential risk of increased activity outweighs the potential benefit on mental health.
D) Mental and physical health improvements do not occur simultaneously.

Question 25

Which of the following is not a source of self-efficacy?

A) level of arousal
B) personality
C) vicarious experience
D) verbal persuasion

Question 26

The actual dosage of exercise to best promote mental health is

A) likely one that individuals can enjoy and sustain.
B) one that fits with an individual's personal preferences and goals.
C) in line with current physical activity guidelines.
D) all of the above

Question 27

Sedentary behaviour is defined as any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure of ________ metabolic equivalents (METs) while in a sitting or reclining posture.

A) 1-1.5 METS
B) Less than 1 MET
C) Less than 2 METS
D) Less than or equal to 1.5 METS

Question 28

Exercise can be used as a frontline treatment for serious mental illness like schizophrenia.

Question 29

It has been suggested that MHPG levels return to normal levels approximately how long after exercise has been completed?

A) 12 hours
B) 6 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 1 hour

Question 30

Exercise is not as effective as other more traditional treatments for depression.

Question 31

Perhaps one of the key challenges in thinking about using exercise to promote mental health is

A) not knowing for sure what the mechanisms are.
B) understanding how to best help people get active and stay active.
C) not knowing for sure what the dosage is.
D) the lack of evidence.

Question 32

Which specific type of sedentary behaviour has been most commonly linked with mental health problems?

A) TV viewing
B) playing video games
C) reading a book
D) car travel

Question 33

Evidence suggests that being physically active may prevent mental health problems like depression. However, there may be other factors that explain this relationship that remain unaccounted for.

Question 34

Current meta-analyses suggest that aerobic exercise does not demonstrate a significant effect in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Question 35

Physical activity may increase levels of neurotrophins like brain derived neurotrophic factor and this could be a mechanism that explains benefits to cognitive functioning. Increases in BDNF appear to be exercise intensity dependent. Given that mental health benefits are also reported at a low intensity of exercise suggests that this mechanism is not essential for mental health benefits but may be operating for some people.

Question 36

When prescribing the intensity of physical activity to an individual who has been inactive for a while it is likely important to recommend an intensity where the individual can easily talk to someone beside them.

Question 37

Physical activity should have a greater effect on physical self components compared to other domains like social or global self-esteem.

Question 38

A recent Canadian study suggests that future research should target self-esteem and mastery in examining the relationship between physical activity interventions and the prevention of mental health problems.

Question 39

In general, research has reported a ________ relationship between time spent sedentary and depression.

A) null
B) positive
C) linear
D) causal

Question 40

What statement best captures a "process-oriented" approach to examining the mechanisms underpinning the exercise and mental health relationship?

A) There is likely a single mechanism that explains this relationship.
B) Psychosocial mechanisms are likely most important in explaining this relationship.
C) Studying this relationship requires a model or framework that can integrate many potential mechanisms.
D) There are lots of potential mechanisms that explain this relationship.

Question 41

This chapter provides an overview of evidence in terms of four main functions of physical activity for impacting mental health. Identify each of these functions and describe some of the key areas of focus within each with reference to at least two specific studies.

Question 42

Deci and Ryan (2000) have proposed that the basic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness must be satisfied across the lifespan for an individual to experience well-being.

Question 43

At this point in time, what can we safely conclude about the value of exercise in preventing depression?

Question 44

With reference to three specific hypotheses, discuss what is currently known about why physical activity might improve mental health.

Question 45

Recent meta-analytic reviews have established a clear and consistent dose-response relationship between physical activity and a range of mental health outcomes.

Question 46

Differentiate mental health and mental illness. Why is making the distinction important?

Question 47

Meeting recommended levels of physical activity has a protective effect for physical and mental health outcomes regardless of the time spent sedentary.

Question 48

Discuss the prevalence of mental health problems in Canada and internationally.

Question 49

While less is known about the relationship between sedentary behaviour and mental health it appears reasonable to suggest that interventions should try to both reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity.

Question 50

In comparison to other treatment approaches, describe three advantages of physical activity for promoting mental health.

Question 51

In the absence of a single definitive dosage for mental health, standard adult physical activity guidelines of accumulating 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week should probably apply equally to mental health promotion.