Programming for the Injured Client - Psychological and Sociological Consideration Adapted from CSUMB

The physical nuts and bolts of the program are only half of the battle. What you say to your clients may have a large amount of gravity with how their recovery goes.

What should we be encouraging during the injury process?

A) Current Psychological Theories

1)Self Determination Theory:

A)Autonomy

B) Self Efficacy

C) Purpose/Meaning

2) Self Improvement Theory

3) Locus of Control

4) Intrinsic Motivation

B) An Optimistic Environment

1)Losada Ratio: The ratio of positive to negative words

2)Resiliency

3) Hope

4) Collaboration

5) Education

6) Listening and Understanding by using empathy

Activity:

Come up with 3 different ways to foster a better relationship during your patient or client interaction

What we should be avoiding:

1)Using an authoritarian communication style

2)Instilling nocebos: “a detrimental effect on health produced by psychological or psychosomatic factors such as negative expectations of treatment or prognosis.”

3)Demeaning or talking down to the patient/client

4)Not giving enough options

5)Not giving them their favorite exercises

6)Instilling Kinesiophobia

Activity:

Come up with 3 ways that will foster a poor environment between you and the patient/client

Applying these tactics to real life situations

Give a rebuttal of motivating feedback to re-frame and work around these 6 pessimistic comments:

1. I’m just so tired today, I don’t want to workout

2. I’m scared I’m going to hurt my back worse

3. My nephew died today, I’m feeling really out of it

4. I was really sore last workout, why did you do that?

5. I’m feeling like I’m not making any progress, my body’s a mess!

6. I’m bored, let’s mix it up

Facilitating a ideal recovery is a large part of your job as a trainer and you do not learn about these things in class. Utilize these strategies to help you give your client the tools for success.