Physical activity and self concept: a humanistic intervention

This chapter evaluates the significant role that self-concept plays in encouraging and sustaining physical activity. It critically appraises the central role that gender plays in defining both self-concept and motives for exercise. The chapter compares and contrasts the diverse literature addressing participation motivation and physical activity. It then assesses how qualitative techniques can help interpret individual experiences and motives, and underlying meanings attached to exercise behaviour. The chapter also constructs a systematic yet adaptive one-to-one intervention programme based on idiographic/qualitative principles. Jenny was a 45-year-old married woman living in Belfast Northern Ireland with two children aged 15 and 18 at the time of the intervention. An initial in-depth interview with Jenny was undertaken, based on Grounded Theory and adopting a humanistic approach to aid understanding of the client's personal circumstances.