Changing behaviours

Question 1

How must the setting be?

Answer 1

• Relaxed
physical
environment
• Open body
language

Question 2

How must the meeting be?

Answer 2

• Client led
• Express empathy
• Roll with resistance
• Support self – efficacy
• Informative
• Willingness to support
in the long-term

Question 3

Client has been sent to Exercise Specialist as part of an Exercise Prescription scheme.
The client is very inactive and is overweight. The client thinks they are quite active
and cannot understand why their weight has increased. The exercise specialist must
try to get a true reflection of the clients’ activity patterns and start to persuade the
client that they could be more active.

Answer 3

• Does client understand the problem?
• What strategies does the exercise specialist employ to try to bring
about a change in opinion / action?
• What could the exercise specialist have done better in your opinion?
• “Pitch” of the interview; Too jargonistic, too simple, too complex?

Question 4

Client has been sent to Exercise Specialist by their GP to start an
exercise programme. The client is interested in joining the “Over 50’s”
swimming session. Draw up with the client a Pro’s / Con’s list for
starting in the swimming sessions and discuss each point raised. The
underlying aim is to get the client to start swimming as soon as
possible.

Answer 4

• Does client understand the problem?
• Style of questioning / discussion used by the Exercise Specialist – have they
employed any of the items discussed previously?
• Is the exercise specialist successful in their persuasion – if so why?

Question 5

You, the Exercise Specialist, have telephoned a client, as they have not
been to exercise for 3 weeks. As far as you know the client has not
been ill or on holiday. Find out exactly why the client has not been
attending, advise on suitable coping responses and attempt to
encourage them to restart.

Answer 5

Does client understand the problem?
How does the exercise specialist deal with the
situation?
Do they employ any of the techniques discussed?
Are they successful in achieving re-attendance?

Question 6

Checkpoints/tips?

Answer 6

• House keeping - good management
and professional competence
• Connecting - greet, meet, join with the
client, empathise
• Safety netting - “What if….?” question,
reassurance
• Summarise - tell the client the
impression you’ve formed
• Hand over - allow the client to depart
confidently

Question 7

Open-ended questions to ask?

Answer 7

• What activity do you do?
• What is a typical day for you?
• Any problems, hurdles that may stop you
attending?
• What is your current state of health like?
• Good things and bad things about activity?
• What did you used to do? What can you / do
you do now?
• What are your concerns about starting an
exercise programme?
• What do you want to achieve?
• Who at home can help you?

Question 8

What barriers of physical activity need to be overcome? (Think about how to overcome them)

Answer 8

o	Lack of time
o	Lack of influence
o	Lack of energy
o	Lack of willpower
o	Fear of injury
o	Lack of skill
o	Lack of resources