Equipping Exercise Science Students with Motivational Interviewing Skills for Real-World Client Interactions

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a widely recognized communication technique originally developed to treat addictive behaviors. Its application has expanded to various health domains, including exercise science, where it is used to enhance client motivation and adherence to health behaviors. However, despite its proven efficacy, exercise science students often struggle to see the relevance of MI to their future careers, particularly outside of roles focused on health coaching. This teaching and learning resource aims to bridge the gap between MI theory and its practical application for exercise science students. This resource aims to equip students with the communication tools necessary for effective client interactions in their chosen careers by highlighting specific MI components directly applicable to various allied health professions. The method of instruction includes: 1. discussion questions exploring how breaking down MI into its components can identify the specific communication skills allied health practitioners can use in their practices, 2. role-play scenarios to practice these skills using exercise-based behaviors, 3. Reflection discussion on students’ communication skills, strengths, weaknesses, and ways to articulate their communication style in an interview setting. This resource effectively enhances the teaching of MI to exercise science students by focusing on its practical application in various health-related careers. By connecting MI components to real-world scenarios, students are better prepared to employ these communication strategies, ultimately becoming more effective practitioners in their respective fields.