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Physical Activity and Health

Code: 102558 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Psychology OT 4

Contact

Name:
Lluís Capdevila Ortís
Email:
lluis.capdevila@uab.cat

Teachers

Antonio Estrella Arraez

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to undertake this subject.


Objectives and Contextualisation

This subject offers a general and introductory perspective that can be related to the fields of the Psychology of Health and the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.

The educational objectives for students are to learn to:

-        Identify the main characteristics of the theoretical approaches in the field of Psychology applied to Physical Activity to improve health.

-        Analyze the consequences that result from the regular practice of physical activity on the health and welfare of the general population.

-        Analyze the demands and psychological needs of the general population regarding the practice of physical activity related to health.

-        Choose the most appropriate methods and instruments to evaluate and intervene in the field of physical activity related to health in the general population.


Competences

  • Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
  • Analyse scientific texts written in English.
  • Analyse the demands and needs of people, groups and organisations in different contexts.
  • Apply knowledge, skills and acquired values critically, reflexively and creatively.
  • Distinguish and relate the different focuses and theoretical traditions that have contributed to the historical development of psychology as well as its influence on the production of knowledge and professional practice.
  • Evaluate, contrast and take decision on the choice of adequate methods and instruments for each situation and evaluation context.
  • Identify and recognise the different methods of treatment and intervention in the different applied areas of psychology.
  • Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
  • Recognise personal limitations and limitations of the discipline in the different areas of professional practice.
  • Recognise the determinants and risk factors for health and also the interaction between people and their physical and social environment.
  • Take account of social, economic and environmental impacts when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
  • Take sex- or gender-based inequalities into consideration when operating within one's own area of knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
  2. Analyse scientific texts written in English.
  3. Analyse the consequences of regular physical activity on health and wellbeing of the general population.
  4. Analyse the demands and psychological needs of the general population to the practice of physical activity related to health.
  5. Apply knowledge, skills and acquired values critically, reflexively and creatively.
  6. Communicate in an inclusive manner avoiding the use of sexist or discriminatory language.
  7. Critically analyse the principles, values and procedures that govern the exercise of the profession.
  8. Define the main theoretical models used in the study of physical activity and its relation to health.
  9. Distinguish between the main characteristics of the theoretical focuses in the study of sports psychology and physical activity.
  10. Identify and decide on the most appropriate methods and tools to assess the psychological needs of the general population to the practice of physical activity related to health.
  11. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
  12. Identify the different methods of treatment and intervention in the field of psychology applied to physical activity related to health in the general population.
  13. Identify the social, economic and/or environmental implications of academic and professional activities in the area of your knowledge.
  14. Propose viable projects and actions to boost social, economic and/or environmental benefits.
  15. Recognise personal limitations and limitations of the discipline in the different areas of professional practice.

Content

Topic 1. Theoretical foundations and scientific evidence.

Topic 2. Healthy physical condition.

Topic 3. Planning a healthy physical conditioning program.

Topic 4. Theoretical and intervention models.

Topic 5. Active, Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle.

Topic 6. Benefits of healthy physical activity.

Topic 7. Motivation towards exercise.

Topic 8. Physical Activity and Health Psychology.

Topic 9. Adherence strategies towards physical exercise.


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Application in practical cases 12 0.48 2, 5, 12, 10, 14
Evaluation and intervention instruments 6 0.24 2, 12, 10, 15
Sessions on theoretical contents 18 0.72 3, 4, 9, 13, 11, 8, 14
Type: Supervised      
Advice on evaluation and intervention 4 0.16 7, 4, 5, 12, 10, 14
Supervision in the application of evaluation and intervention instruments 6 0.24 2, 1, 5, 12, 10
Tutorials prior to the written test 6 0.24 3, 4, 6, 9, 8, 15
Type: Autonomous      
Case studies in evaluation and intervention 36 1.44 7, 4, 2, 5, 12, 10
Practice and mastery of the instruments of evaluation and intervention 20 0.8 4, 2, 1, 12, 10
Study of contents of the written test 40 1.6 3, 4, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 10, 11, 8, 15

The methodology of the subject will be based on the coordinated development of a series of activities (directed, supervised and autonomous) that will guide the student towards the achievement of the learning outcomes. The debate on specialized readings will be very important, based on a discussion script previously prepared. Students will present critical synthesis of scientific articles related to the  subject topic.

Directed Teaching Sessions

  • There will be 9 sessions in the whole group, in which the main theoretical concepts of the subject will be worked on.
  • There will be 3 sessions in the whole group, which will present and explain different instruments related to the intervention and the assessment of a healthy lifestyle in the general population and in target populations.
  • There will be 6 sessions in subgroups throughout the semester to apply in different cases different instruments related to intervention and with the assessment of a healthy lifestyle.

Supervised activity

  • Each type of activity (theory, assessment instruments and application in practical cases) comes with a series of hours of activity supervised by the teachers through the moodle platform and at office hours.

Autonomous activity

  • The undertaking of the different supervised tasks means it is essential for the student to carry out throughout the semester autonomous activity which is necessary to reach  the learning outcomes. 

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
EV1: Written test 40% 2 0.08 3, 4, 2, 5, 6, 9, 8, 15
EV2: Written reports and participation in the sessions 10% 0 0 1, 5, 6, 12, 10, 11
EV3: Oral presentations 20% 0 0 7, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 10, 14, 15
EV4: Practices 30% 0 0 7, 4, 2, 5, 12, 10, 13

The competences of this subject will be assessed by means of: written tests; written reports and active participation in the different activities; and oral presentations of the work carried out in groups.

The recommended assessment system includes the following aspects, each of which will be assigned a specific weight in the final grade:

-        EV1: Individual writing test: 40%. Second assessment period. Week 19.

-        EV2: Written reports and active participation in the different activities: 10%. Weeks 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 11

-        EV3: Oral presentations of a group work: 20%. Weeks 13 and 14.

-        EV4: Practices: 30%. Week 16.

EVIDENCE FEEDBACK:

EV1: Week 20.
EV2: Weeks 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 11
EV3: Week 17
EV4: Week 18.

 

The subject is deemed to be passed when the student reaches a total of at least 5 points in the final assessment, with a minimum of 4.5 points (on a scale 0-10) in the EV1, EV3 and EV4 assessments. In the event of not meeting these requirements the maximum grade that can be obtained is 4.5 points.

An assessable student is considered one who has accumulated at least 40% of the weight of the learning assessments.

A student is considered non-assessable when they have not accumulated at least 40% of the weight of the learning assessments.

The re-assessment will consist of a global written test that will be the final grade recorded. All those students who during the continuous assessment have obtained grades with a weight equal to or greater than 2/3 of the total qualification and have obtained a final grade less than 5 points and greater than or equal to 3.5 points, can sit re-assessment.

No unique final synthesis test for students who enrolled fot the second timer or more is anticipated.


SINGLE EVALUATION: This subject/module does not provide for a single evaluation system.

USE OF AI: Permitted use. In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution by the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

 

Link to the assessment guidelines of the Faculty: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/graus/avaluacions-1345722525858.html

 


Bibliography

FUNDAMENTAL BIBLIOGRAPHY:

(REFERENCE MANUAL) Capdevila, Lluis (2005) Actividad física y estilo de vida saludable. Girona: Documenta Universitaria.

Pintanel, Monica, Capdevila, Ll.uis, y Niñerola, Jordi (2006) Psicología de la actividad física y salud: guía práctica. Girona: Documenta Universitaria.

COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Capdevila,Lluis (2008), Activitat física, conducta alimentària i salud. En F.Suay (Ed), Psicobiologia de l’esport i de l’ activitat física, pp. 59-80.Valencia: Publicacions Universitat de València.

Capdevila L, Losilla JM, Alfonso C, Estrella T, Lalanza JF. (2025). Physical activity and planetary health: A scoping review. J Sci Med Sport. Jan;28(1):56-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.07.012. Epub 2024 Jul 25. PMID: 39164187.

Capdevila,L, Niñerola,J i Pintanel,M. (2004), Motivación hacia la actividad física: El autoinforme de motivos en la practica de ejercicio físico. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 13 (1), 55-74.

Grau-Pellicer, M.; CAPDEVILA, L.; Lalanza J.F. and Jovell-Fernandez, E. (2019). Impact of mHealth technology on adherence to healthy Physical Activity after stroke: a randomized study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2019.1691816 

Niñerola,J; Capdevila,L, i Pintanel,M. (2006), Barreras percibidas en el ejericico físico: el autoinforme de barreras para la práctica de ejercicio físico. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 15 (1), 53-69.

Parrado, Eva, Cervantes, Julio, Ocaña, Marta, Pintanel, Monica,Valero, Montse y Capdevila, Lluis (2009). Evaluación de la conducta activa: el Registro Semanal de Actividad Física (RSAF). Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 8(2), 197-216.

Zapata-Lamana R, Lalanza JF, Losilla J, Parrado E, Capdevila L. (2020). mHealth technology for ecological momentary assessment in physical activity research: a systematic review. PeerJ 8:e8848. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8848

 


Software

No aplicable.


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 111 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 112 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed