Confidence and self-esteem
reda
Self-esteem is a key indicator of psychological wellbeing. People with high self-esteem tend to have high life satisfaction, resilience and greater achievement in education and work. On the other hand low self-esteem tends to be associated with mental illness, anxiety and hopelessness. Self-esteem can be defined as the sum of a person’s perceptions of their competence in several areas of their life; for example, academic, emotional, social and physical. Of these areas the physical aspect of self-esteem (i.e. one’s competence regarding stamina, strength, sport ability and body attractiveness) has been shown to have a strong influence on overall self-esteem.
Physical activity is a behaviour which has a strong influence on physical self-esteem and a smaller but significant influence on overall self-esteem. Studies have found that people who participate in physical activity typically have greater physical and overall self-esteem. This relationship has been found in children, adolescents, young adults, adults and older people, and across both males and females.
A review of 113 physical activity studies found three factors that influenced how much impact physical activity interventions have on a person’s self-esteem. The greatest gains in self-esteem occurred for people who initially had low self-esteem, those whose fitness increased during the intervention, and those who were active on more days per week. All types of physical activity were equally effective at increasing self-esteem. Overall the researchers concluded from their review that physical activity interventions which aim to increase self-esteem should include physical activity that is moderately demanding and lasts for 12 weeks or more.
As all types of physical activity have been found to be equally effective, people should choose a type of physical activity based on what they enjoy doing. Another important factor to consider when using physical activity to enhance self-esteem is that physical activity should provide opportunities to experience feelings of accomplishment. Physical activity goals should be set so that they are achievable and result in feelings of success. For this to be achieved the duration, type, intensity and frequency of physical activity in any programme should be set in relation to an individual’s physical fitness and previous physical activity experience.
Dementia and cognitive decline in older people:
Increasing life expectancy and a growing population of people aged over 65 has led to an increase in the number of people living with dementia and cognitive decline. Dementia affects some 800,000 people in the UK, and the number of people with the condition is steadily increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2020, the number of people with dementia in the UK will have increased to around one million. With no known cure, ways to improve the lives of those living with the condition are vital.
The main symptom of dementia is memory loss; it is a progressive disease which results in people becoming more impaired over time. Decline in cognitive functions such as attention and concentration also occurs in older people, including those who do not go on to develop dementia.
Physical activity can protect people against developing dementia and for people who have already developed the disease can delay further declines in functioning.
Studies show that adults participating in daily physical activity have a 20-30% lower risk for dementia. Physical activity also seems to reduce the likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline in people who do not go on to develop dementia.
Exercise throughout a person’s life plays a significant role in reducing the risk of developing dementia, a study spanning 35 years has found. The Cardiff University study, which began with 2,235 men from Caerphilly in 1979, found factors including diet and not smoking had an impact on preventing illnesses developing in older age. However, exercise had the single biggest influence on dementia levels. People in the study who fulfilled four of these factors had a 60% decrease in dementia and cognitive decline rates, with exercise named as the strongest mitigating factor. The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Heart Foundation.
Physical activity is a behaviour which has a strong influence on physical self-esteem and a smaller but significant influence on overall self-esteem. Studies have found that people who participate in physical activity typically have greater physical and overall self-esteem. This relationship has been found in children, adolescents, young adults, adults and older people, and across both males and females.
A review of 113 physical activity studies found three factors that influenced how much impact physical activity interventions have on a person’s self-esteem. The greatest gains in self-esteem occurred for people who initially had low self-esteem, those whose fitness increased during the intervention, and those who were active on more days per week. All types of physical activity were equally effective at increasing self-esteem. Overall the researchers concluded from their review that physical activity interventions which aim to increase self-esteem should include physical activity that is moderately demanding and lasts for 12 weeks or more.
As all types of physical activity have been found to be equally effective, people should choose a type of physical activity based on what they enjoy doing. Another important factor to consider when using physical activity to enhance self-esteem is that physical activity should provide opportunities to experience feelings of accomplishment. Physical activity goals should be set so that they are achievable and result in feelings of success. For this to be achieved the duration, type, intensity and frequency of physical activity in any programme should be set in relation to an individual’s physical fitness and previous physical activity experience.
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| Confidence and self-esteem |
Increasing life expectancy and a growing population of people aged over 65 has led to an increase in the number of people living with dementia and cognitive decline. Dementia affects some 800,000 people in the UK, and the number of people with the condition is steadily increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2020, the number of people with dementia in the UK will have increased to around one million. With no known cure, ways to improve the lives of those living with the condition are vital.
The main symptom of dementia is memory loss; it is a progressive disease which results in people becoming more impaired over time. Decline in cognitive functions such as attention and concentration also occurs in older people, including those who do not go on to develop dementia.
Physical activity can protect people against developing dementia and for people who have already developed the disease can delay further declines in functioning.
Studies show that adults participating in daily physical activity have a 20-30% lower risk for dementia. Physical activity also seems to reduce the likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline in people who do not go on to develop dementia.
Exercise throughout a person’s life plays a significant role in reducing the risk of developing dementia, a study spanning 35 years has found. The Cardiff University study, which began with 2,235 men from Caerphilly in 1979, found factors including diet and not smoking had an impact on preventing illnesses developing in older age. However, exercise had the single biggest influence on dementia levels. People in the study who fulfilled four of these factors had a 60% decrease in dementia and cognitive decline rates, with exercise named as the strongest mitigating factor. The study was funded by the Medical Research Council, the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Heart Foundation.
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