Sport, exercise and mental health in special populations

This BIP focuses on “Sport, exercise and mental health in special populations", targeting vulnerable groups such as children, adults and elderly with chronic diseases and mental illness.

It explores in depth the role of sport and exercise for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and it analyses the potential benefits and risks of sport & exercise participation regarding mental health and wellbeing in different settings, considering various social and cultural contexts.  

Building upon the foundations established by previous BIP initiatives, this program aims to deepen existing collaborations with key partners of CIVIS. The expansion of these partnerships reflects the importance of addressing the complex needs of vulnerable populations through innovative approaches. The significance of this endeavor lies in the urgent need to tackle disparities in mental health care and promote inclusivity and equity in health-related sport & exercise interventions.

Goals and objectives 

The primary aim is to enable students to contribute to the promotion of mental health and well-being among special populations through sport and exercise. Specific objectives include:

1. Enhancing participants' understanding of sport & exercise and mental health issues across diverse populations.
2. Developing intervention strategies tailored to each group according to sport & exercise activities.
3. Providing theoretical, technical, and practical training to apply interventions in real-world contexts referring to sport, exercise and mental health.
4. Promoting interdisciplinary approaches by integrating different perspectives ranging from Sport & Exercise Science, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Medicine, and Nursing.

The BIP will start with the physical mobility component (in Tübingen, Germany) to enhance team building and student motivation via social collaboration enhanced by social events. This strategy will allow to create the group tutoring program, to start with the group dynamic learning process and to facilitate future group tasks. 

The virtual mobility program will combine synchronous teaching (lectures and group tutoring) with online asynchronous sessions.

Teaching and learning methods:

• lectures and seminars: structured sessions will introduce key concepts, analyze contemporary research, and apply findings through case studies. These will be delivered in-person and virtually for flexibility and engagement.
• workshops and practical sessions (in Tübingen): Hands-on activities will focus on designing, implementing, and assessing interventions tailored to each vulnerable population. 
• interdisciplinary group dynamics (in Tübingen): solving problems, case analyses and debates aiming at promoting collaborative and interdisciplinary work.
• meetings and interactions with people with professional and life experiences regarding sport, exercise and mental health
• group work and collaborative tasks: teams will develop and present intervention plans, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and peer learning. At the end of the program, students (in groups of 2-3) will be asked to give an online presentation to the whole group on a theme linking sport, exercise and mental health.
• virtual learning: online platforms will facilitate asynchronous activities, flipped classrooms, and group discussions, ensuring continuity between physical and virtual components.
• mentoring and group tutoring: academic mentors will guide small groups, offering feedback throughout the program and group works.

Main topics addressed

The program consists of four modules: 

Module 1: Mental health and physical activity

• focus on understanding mental health disorders and how physical activity can aid in prevention and treatment;
• exploration of the physiological and psychological effects of exercise on mental health and wellbeing.

Module 2: Promoting mental health in vulnerable populations

• strategies for integrating sport & exercise into therapy for children, adults and elderly with mental illnesses;
• use of digital tools and wearable technologies;
• development of inclusive programs addressing socio-economic and cultural differences.

Module 3: Intervention design and implementation

• creation and implementation of sport- & exercise-based interventions to promote mental health and wellbeing;
• application of evidence-based practices to design and evaluate interventions.

Module 4: Risks and barriers

• analysis of potential mental health risks in sport & exercise settings;
• development of preventive strategies and screening tools;
• identification of barriers for sport & exercise participation and strategies to overcome them.

Learning outcomes

Key specific learning objectives:

1. understand mental health issues and their link to physical activity sport and chronic conditions (Modules 1, 2);
2. assess the needs of special populations including children, adults and the elderly with chronic illnesses or mental health challenges (Modules 2, 3);
3. develop sport - and exercise - based interventions for vulnerable groups addressing physical and mental health (Modules 3, 4);
4. analyze and mitigate risks for mental health related to sport & exercise participation (Module 4);
5. apply evaluation tools to refine interventions using data and feedback (Modules 3, 4).

Secondary learning objectives:

1. use digital tools and wearable technologies to improve interventions and monitor progress (Modules 2, 3);
2. collaborate in interdisciplinary teams dealing with mental health and sport & exercise (Modules 1, 3);
3. promote non-stigmatizing mental health care through education, advocacy, and intervention program (Modules 2, 4);
4. design and evaluate intervention frameworks that can be adapted to diverse cultural and social contexts (Modules 3, 4);
5. implement strategies to promote inclusivity and accessibility in sport and exercise settings, ensuring equitable participation opportunities (Modules 2, 4).