Twenty-six authors, coming from thirteen Universities and Clinic Institutions in eight different countries, offered their contributions to discuss: the rationale for physical activity and mental health, the role of physical activity and exercise in the approach to mental health problems (stress, alcohol dependence, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obesity, ADHD, conduct disorders in adolescents, intellectual disability, elderly people), the characteristics of instruments, the activities organized for people with mental disabilities by some Sports Federations and Organizations in Europe.

This volume gives clear information and practical recommendations that are essential for structuring exercise programs aimed at improving the quality of life of people with mental health problems. Twenty-six authors from thirteen universities and clinical institutes in eight countries have contributed to discussing the rationale for physical activity and mental health.

Authors

Michel Probs

Professor at the KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Belgium. He is the Head of the research unit "Adapted Physical Activity and Psychomotor Rehabilitation" and coordinator of the studies "Rehabilitation Sciences in Mental Health Care", KU Leuven, Belgium. He is the Academic coordinator of the Department of physical therapy at the University Psychiatric Center-KU Leuven, Belgium. He is the Founder and President of the "International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health" (a subgroup of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy). He has published more than 225 articles in 10 different languages. He gave more than 200 lectures and workshops abroad.

Attilio Carraro

Is Associate Professor at the University of Padua. His research focuses on health and exercise, with particular attention on the relationships between exercise and mental health and on sport pedagogy. He published several papers in international and Italian peer-reviewed journals as well as chapters in international and Italian books. He is the principal investigator for an international research project funded by the WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) and the coordinator of an EIP (European Innovation Partnership) on Active and Healthy Ageing. He is in charge of international cooperation programs with African and South American universities and is responsible for Erasmus exchanges in the area of human movement and sports sciences. He is a member of the board of directors of the AIESEP (International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education)