U of A study identifies skills physical activity specialists can develop to support mental health

PhD candidate Ashley McCurdy. Photo supplied.

A recent study from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation has broken new ground by identifying skills that can support physical activity (PA) specialists in effectively promoting and managing the mental health of their participants, including those with mental health concerns.

Conducted in collaboration with the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia, the study highlights the importance of PA specialists — such as physiotherapists, personal trainers, coaches and exercise physiologists — in promoting mental well-being alongside physical health.

"Physical activity is becoming well recognized for its role in mental health promotion and recovery," says lead researcher and U of A PhD candidate Ashley McCurdy. "But we’ve found that many specialists might not feel fully equipped to support clients dealing with mental health challenges. Our study is a step toward changing that by identifying key competencies and encouraging the development of training programs to bolster their confidence."

The team conducted a scoping review to identify skills and competencies that would better position PA specialists to work with clients who experience mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Their research uncovered 62 competencies spread across four key domains: interacting with mental health services or systems, responding to mental health concerns, physical activity counseling or coaching that is responsive to mental health needs and building relationships that are responsive to mental health needs.

The study's findings indicate competencies that could help specialists feel confident in addressing mental health concerns and collaborating with other health-care providers.

The motivation behind this research stems from McCurdy’s own experience and prior studies, which pointed to a lack of confidence among PA specialists when it comes to addressing mental health concerns. “There’s a fair amount of evidence supporting physical activity as a tool for mental health, but specialists don’t always feel prepared for that role,” she explains.

What makes this study important is its discovery of competencies beyond traditional knowledge of mental health pathology. McCurdy initially expected the focus to be on technical knowledge, but the findings revealed that interpersonal and ethical skills play an equally critical role. “I went into this thinking that understanding the science behind mental health and physical activity would be most important,” says McCurdy. “But we found that relationship-building, empathy and emotional regulation were just as crucial, if not more so.”

She also emphasizes that these competencies apply to everyone, not just those diagnosed with mental illnesses. “Mental health challenges can affect anyone — whether it’s a moment of low mood or a full mental health emergency. Specialists need to be ready for that, regardless of a formal diagnosis,” she adds.

The study’s findings provide a roadmap for improving the skills of PA specialists, with a goal of creating more targeted training programs and mental health toolkits. McCurdy hopes these resources will be adopted widely.

"This study is a conversation starter for stakeholders interested in developing mental health-related training for PA specialists," McCurdy explains. "It’s not about rigid guidelines but rather providing PA specialists with a flexible set of skills that they can adapt to their clients' unique needs."

Looking forward, McCurdy plans to further develop and improve the competency profile based on feedback from professionals in the field. "There’s still more to explore, particularly from the perspectives of gym teachers and coaches who weren’t well represented in the initial review. I also hope to examine PA specialists' confidence in enacting these competencies and the outcomes that follow."