Physical activity research in Australia: A view from exercise psychology and behavioural medicine

Australia has a proud history in physical activity and is known for its love of, and success in, sport. It is also sometimes perceived to be a physically active country yet statistics show similar troubling trends of inactivity and non-communicable disease as many other high income countries. In research and professional practice, however, Australia can be seen to have been ‘punching above its weight’ (given its small population) in physical activity and public health. It has been a leading country for research on a number of themes concerning physically active lifestyles, including mental health, physical activity correlates, interventions, sedentary behaviour, and guidelines. The role of exercise psychology, however, is less clearly demarcated. The research concerning physical activity and public health has adopted a behavioural medicine approach, of which psychology is just one part. In this paper, behavioural medicine and exercise psychology will be defined, and research strengths and trends in Australia outlined. Issues particularly important for Australia will be explored briefly in the context of exercise psychology, including indigenous health and those living in rural and remote locations.