TECHNICAL ARTICLE

Instructors remain wary when working with a disabled client. Fitness professionals who adopt a positive attitude towards disability provision are pivotal in creating an atmosphere that encourages disabled people to be active.

Social support has long been considered an important factor in helping people stay active (6) and for individuals with a disability this may be the key to exercise maintenance. Disabled people may find that their loved ones feel less than positive about their fitness pursuits. Essentially, the people who care may be more fearful that the rigours of exercise could increase the risk of injury, although these concerns are rarely substantiated.

Fitness professionals must ensure that they remain positive and motivating in order to counter any lack of encouragement elsewhere. You may even provide information on the benefits of exercise which clients can pass onto friends and family.

Personal Barriers Many disabilities present secondary complications that can further hinder capacity for exercise (7). Chronic pain and fatigue can be hugely debilitating. Personal Trainers should be sensitive to these issues and prepared to adapt their training regimes when necessary. It is also common for disabled people to lack confidence when it comes to exercise and to feel self-conscious about exercising in public places (8). Self-confidence can be

“Fitness professionals must ensure that they remain positive and motivating in order to counter any lack of encouragement elsewhere.”

www.exerciseregister.org

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