Movement, Motivation, and Mind

This unit explores how human movement and psychosocial factors interact to influence exercise behavior, performance, and mental health. Students learn to analyze motion, apply the bio-psycho-social model, craft adherence strategies, and assess how acute and chronic exercise affect mood — building on foundational biomechanics and preparing learners to design client-centered training and wellness plans.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze human movement using basic motion-analysis techniques (video-based observation, joint-angle measurement, and simple kinematic assessment) to identify biomechanical patterns that influence performance and injury risk.
• Apply the bio-psycho-social model to construct a comprehensive case profile that identifies biological, psychological, and social determinants affecting an individual’s ability to begin and sustain an exercise program.
• Demonstrate evidence-based motivation and adherence strategies by creating an individualized exercise plan that incorporates goal-setting, self-monitoring, reinforcement, and social-support elements to improve long-term participation.
• Evaluate research and self-report data on the acute and chronic effects of exercise on mood and mental well-being and recommend appropriate exercise prescriptions to support psychological health for diverse clients.