To level set for this article, I want to remind coaches and fitness leaders that sensory-friendly considerations for clients do not necessarily pertain to those who identify as being on the neurodivergent spectrum. Staying in tune with sensory considerations remains a way that a coach can work towards guiding their clients to mindfully reduce stimulation and help individuals dial into their unique relationship with movement and how it feels for them. Shifting away from fitness goals and methods associated solely with aesthetics prioritizes wellness as the ultimate goal and active movement as a part of their day-to-day dose of how to gain all of the happy chemicals and feels. Part 1 of Fitness on the Spectrum provided a brief overview of how movement benefits clients offering numerous benefits to the body, enhancing cognitive function and reaction time. Physical exercise invigorates the release of dopamine and serotonin, uplifts our mood, and fosters emotional well-being. A skilled coach can create a safe sensory space tailored to each client’s unique sensory needs, providing personalized comfort and maximizing the advantages of movement.
In Part 2 of Fitness on the Spectrum, let’s dive into how coaches can assess their techniques to stay mindful of sensory-friendly methodologies. Centering mindfulness and introspection, a fitness coach levels up their efficacy to empower their clients.
How does movement feel in your body?
Interoception, the sense of the internal bodily state, critically impacts physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. Interoception constantly monitors your body, gathering information from various parts like the heart, lungs, stomach, bladder, muscles, skin, and even your eyes. For example, interoception helps your brain determine the state of your stomach—whether it feels empty, full, gassy, nauseous, tingly, or something else entirely. Interoception can also indicate how our muscles fire and to what range of motion they feel an exercise is “working” or engaging the right body parts. For those on the neurodivergent spectrum, some variances can exist between when interoception fires or doesn’t. Sometimes processing times aren’t in sync with when a movement happens and when the feeling is felt in the body. Your brain uses data to decode your emotions, as well, as helping you understand if you are hungry, nervous, tired, sick, or excited. It’s fascinating how our body’s interoceptive processes can change based on different physical conditions. Studies begin to show that individual traits like motivation, anxiety sensitivity, and how well we focus can really influence how our brains respond to physical activity. But there’s still a lot we don’t know, especially when it comes to how neurodivergent people experience these sensations during exercise, both in the short and long term. More research is needed to understand these differences and create personalized exercise plans that benefit everyone.
How can coaches support clients’ interoceptive responses?
As highlighted in Part 1, coaches should consistently check in with their clients to enhance body awareness and sensation. For instance, during a plank, a coach can guide clients to achieve the correct pelvic tilt and avoid back strain. They might suggest aligning elbows towards the wall behind them, extending heels in the same direction, and concentrating on breath and core isolation. Simply instructing clients to perform exercises without detailed guidance can lead to errors and improper form. Given the variances in interoception, it’s essential for coaches to continuously remind clients of their movement sensations while considering individual needs and body types.
In addition to spoken guidance, coaches can stay mindful of how a client best receives information. Which modality is best for the client to receive information based on their individual needs:
- Auditory
- Visual
- Kinesthetic
- Written
When evaluating the environment of a session, it’s crucial to consider how distractions like music or noise may impact a client’s ability to absorb information. To set individuals up for success, we must assess their surroundings, identify their optimal learning style, and address their needs for coaching body awareness. This comprehensive, 360-degree assessment of sensory factors demonstrates a coach’s commitment to viewing their methods from the client’s perspective. This kind of empathetic coaching highlights true compassion and a genuine desire to ensure success.
What other questions do you have about Fitness on the Spectrum?
Are there other areas you’d like to learn about to expand on this topic?
References:
- “Feel good” hormone could explain why exercise helps boost your brain. (2024, January 24). ScienceDaily.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240116131729.htm - Kapp, Steven & Steward, Robyn & Crane, Laura & Elliott, Daisy & Elphick, Chris & Pellicano, Elizabeth & Russell, Ginny. (2019). ‘People should be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331437023_’People_should_be_allowed_to_do_what_they_like’_Autistic_adults’ views_and_experiences_of_stimming - Ranieri, A., Mennitti, C., Falcone, N., La Monica, I., Di Iorio, M. R., Tripodi, L., Gentile, A., Vitale, M., Pero, R., Pastore, L., D’Argenio, V., Scudiero, O., & Lombardo, B. (2023). Positive effects of physical activity in autism spectrum disorder: how influences behavior, metabolic disorder and gut microbiota. Frontiers in psychiatry0.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10681626/ - Wallman-Jones, A., Perakakis, P., Tsakiris, M., & Schmidt, M. (2021). Physical activity and interoceptive processing: Theoretical considerations for future research. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 166, 38–49.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.05.002
Katrina Liew Wilson
Katrina is a global educator and Certified Wellness Specialist dedicated to bridging gaps through equitable access and collaborative coaching. With over 20 years of experience, she leads diverse teams, creates support groups, and mentors future leaders. Katrina specializes in Bias Unearthing, Neurodiversity Inclusion, and Intersectional Inclusion. She holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, certificates in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell and USF, and an Associate of Science in Graphic Design. Katrina’s mission is to foster unity through self-care and compassion, making healing a path to deeper purpose and inclusivity.
