Part of a special issue on how people can enrich the quality of their lives through movement, health, and fitness. It is important for researchers and practitioners to discover and clarify personal values and meanings in various types of physical activity. Finding and describing personal meanings in sport and exercise may allow individuals to successfully initiate, adopt, and follow an active lifestyle throughout their life spans. Cumulative evidence suggests that planned and structured physical activity is related to the psychological benefits of enhanced mood, stress reduction, a more positive self-concept, and a higher quality of life for members of the general population. The psychological benefits of exercise may be even more noticeable in special populations. A number of unresolved issues regarding the benefits of an active lifestyle remain. New research directions are suggested.