Programming For The Injured Client: Psychological And Sociological Considerations

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:

   1. Autonomy

   2. Self Efficacy

   3. Purpose/Meaning

2. Self Improvement Theory

   1. Locus of Control

   2. 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 an 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.