Coaching Philosophy

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” While this definition challenges the notion that health is solely the absence of disease, it has faced criticism for its use of the term “complete”, which some argue is overly absolute.

On the one hand, there is a prevalent tendency to perceive health merely as the absence of disease, overlooking the positive aspect of well-being. On the other hand, there is an inclination to idealize health as complete well-being, potentially imposing unrealistic standards.

This dichotomy oversimplifies the understanding of health, limiting our ability to address its complexities effectively.

I advocate for a middle ground of reasonable well-being. This approach acknowledges the importance of striving for well-being while embracing the notion of a satisfactory state of health, promoting a more inclusive and attainable approach to wellness.

According to the UK Chief Medical Officers' (CMO) Physical Activity Guidelines, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of moderate intensity activity per week, which can include brisk walking or cycling. Alternatively, they can aim for 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity, such as running, sprinting, or stair climbing. They suggest using the 'talk test' to distinguish moderate and vigorous intensity: moderate intensity is when you can talk but not sing during the activity, and vigorous intensity is when you are unable to say more than a few words without pausing for a breath.

While these guidelines offer clear, quantifiable exercise targets that simplify fitness goals, they may not suit everyone due to the one-size-fits-all approach.

On the one hand, people may rely solely on the guidelines without considering their individual needs. They may follow standardized training programs and depend exclusively on the ‘talk test’ to measure their progress. On the other hand, people may rely solely on anecdotal advice, fads, or their comfort zone to shape their exercise routines. This often leads to inconsistency, inefficiency, or even injury, as such programs lack objective measures.

I think the middle ground involves training based on principles, like specificity, individualization, and progressive overload. By tailoring exercises to a particular sport or activity, adapting them to individual needs and abilities, and gradually increasing workload, people may meet the Physical Activity Guidelines safely, effectively and enjoyably.

Personal trainers who are members of The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) adhere to a code of conduct with four principles:

• Be safe: Prioritize individual safety, adhering to laws and regulations.

• Be an advocate: Promote equality and inclusion, fostering public confidence in the sector.

• Be recognised: Stay updated with professional development, contributing to sector improvement.

• Be responsible: Maintain honesty and transparency in professional communications, inspiring trust.

Without codes of conduct, fitness professionals may struggle to make informed decisions that uphold ethical practice. However, this raises a question: Are codes of conduct or rules enough to establish ethical relationships, especially in complex or nuanced situations with equally complex or nuanced consequences?

On the one hand, ignoring rules and focusing solely on consequences can lead to questionable actions. On the other hand, ignoring consequences and focusing solely on rules can lead to questionable outcomes.

I think virtue ethics offers a middle ground by encouraging individuals to cultivate moral character and virtues, such as courage, moderation, wisdom, and justice. It’s through the development of virtues that we find balance in following rules and considering the consequences of our actions. Our moral character shapes and is shaped by how we approach a situation, ultimately influencing the course of our relationships.

Sport England employs surveys to assess motivation, with a particular focus on sports participation. These surveys gauge enjoyment through statements like:

• "Sport brings me joy and satisfaction."

• "I feel confident in my ability to be physically active."

• "Opportunities for physical activity are available to me."

By prompting respondents to rate their agreement, Sport England uncovers the motivational drivers behind individuals' engagement in physical activity.

To structure these inquiries, Sport England adopts the COM-B model, developed by Susan Michie, Maartje van Stralen, and Robert West in 2011. This model integrates motivation (M) within a framework of capability (C), opportunity (O), and their influence on behaviour (B). Capability encompasses an individual's psychological and physical readiness for activity, while opportunity includes external factors facilitating or prompting the behaviour. Referencing Douglas Mook, the model defines motivation as the brain processes energising and directing behaviour.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of defining motivation in terms of brain processes and behaviour? On the one hand, a deficiency in objective measures may lead to unreliable interpretations based on anecdotal evidence. On the other hand, excessive focus on external measures, like behaviour, may overlook subjective experiences and cognitive processes. This oversight could impede the development of targeted interventions for sustained physical activity. For example, concepts such as flow and learned optimism from the positive psychology movement may offer insights that a purely objective model might overlook.

According to Csikszentmihalyi, people describe themselves as most ‘happy’ when they are so absorbed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. He calls this “flow”, and describes it as having seven traits:

1. A challenging activity that requires skills.

2. A merging of action and awareness.

3. Clear goals and feedback.

4. Concentration on the task.

5. A sense of control.

6. A loss of self-consciousness.

7. A sense of time speeding up or slowing down.

This summarizes the flow state.

According to Seligman, pessimistic explanatory styles prevent people from acting, and this reduces their chances of success. Increasing their chances requires changing their explanatory styles from pessimistic to optimistic. Pessimists habitually explain misfortunes as permanent, pervasive, and personal, while optimists explain such events as temporary, confined, and accidental.

A rigid focus on behaviour might miss how the structure of subjective experience influences intrinsic motivation or how cognitive interpretations affect resilience. For this reason, I think the middle ground is to gauge motivation both objectively and subjectively.