Date of Award

4-2014

Document Type

Campus Access Thesis

College

College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Psychology, BA

First Supervisor

Reed Mueller, Ph.D.

Keywords

physical health and psychological well-being, physical fitness, well-being

Abstract

The present study contributes to the field of health psychology by measuring the changes in physical health (via body fat percentage, body mass index, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and VO2max) and psychological well-being (via a construct synthesized from elements of Seligman, Ryan & Deci, and Ryff’s research). The tested sample consisted of 12 students (4 males, 8 females) enrolled in a class with the goal of weight loss and/or increased fitness. The participants were first tested in September 2013 and again in December 2013, at the end of the term. It was hypothesized that there would be a direct relationship between physical fitness and well-being. There were no significant relationships (p > .05) found except between internal autonomy and physical fitness (p = .033). These relationships contribute to the current literature and suggest the need for further research on the relationship between physical fitness and well- being.

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