adherence and motivation

Adherence and Motivation

Exercise specialists play an important role in educating the public about why regular physical activity is absolutely essential for good health and how to exercise safely and effectively.


Of those individuals starting an exercise program, half will drop out within six months.


As an exercise specialist, you must help the client develop a positive attitude toward physical activity and make a firm commitment to the exercise program.


To increase adherence, you need to be aware of factors related to attrition.


Adherence to an exercise program is related to biological, psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental factors.


The most critical factors characterizing the exercise program dropout are:

OverweightLow self motivationAnxiety about exercise


No spousal supportInconvenient exercise facilityExercise intensity that is too highNo social support during and after

exercise.


As the exercise specialist, you should focus particularly on those factors which are under your control such as setting individualized goals for the client, providing social support and reinforcement, and prescribing low-to-moderate exercise intensities.


To motivate your clients to exercise on a regular basis, prescribe physical activity that is enjoyable and fun.


In an aerobic exercise program, for example, the participant does not need to do the same thing, such as walking or jogging, during every exercise session.


Other aerobic activities, such as swimming, cross-country skiing, and step aerobics may be substituted as long as the client exercises at the prescribed training intensity.


Some individuals need the added motivation of exercising with a partner or with a formal group.


Whether your clients choose to exercise alone or with others, have them select a regular time and place to exercise, because consistency is a critical factor for instilling the exercise habit.


You can use behavior modification techniques to increase program retention.


Help your client set both short-term and long-term goals that are attainable.


For this purpose, you can periodically re-evaluate your client’s fitness levels to assess improvement.


You can state goals in performance or physiological terms.

An example of a short-term performance goal is to complete a 3-mile fun run in less than 33 minutes.


A long-term physiological goal might be to increase maximum oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) by 15% in four months.


The key to increasing exercise program adherence lies in the leadership, education, and motivation which you provide.


First, you must be a positive role model.

Practice what you preach.


You must also be knowledgeable, able to educate clients about exercise and fitness, and able to provide motivation and encourage social support.


Athletes tend to be highly motivated.


Motivation in athletes can be enhanced through success and feeling part of the team.

Summary

1. Emphasize enjoyable participation in physical activities that are easily done throughout life.

2. Offer a diverse range of noncompetitive and competitive activities for different ages and abilities.

Summary

3. Give young people the skills and confidence they need to be physically active.

4. Provide physical and social environments that encourage and enable young people to engage in safe and enjoyable physical activity.