A fitness assessment for use by occupational therapists in psychiatric rehabilitation : This project was completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Diploma in Recreation and Sport

Abstract

Shortly after commencing work in a psychiatric rehabilitation hostel the author became aware of the lack of objective measurements of physical fitness for this population. This contradicted the Occupational Therapy philosophy of addressing the physical, psychological and social functioning of the human being.

Not only was there a lack of indication of fitness status to relate to other health professionals, there was also a lack of tangible feedback to the client, on gains made in fitness through participating in physical sports and recreation.

As the majority of clients were very unfit and exhibited the related characteristics of poor physical and mental health, there was an obvious need for this area to be addressed.

With this in mind the author tentatively developed and implemented a fitness assessment in the hostel. This assessment, though better than none, did not yield adequate information so the author decided to contact other occupational therapists to determine whether or not there were already any such assessments in use, and if not, whether there were a need for one.

The following assignment developed from the above situation. It includes summarized results of the survey to other therapists, and a summary of some of the available literature on exercise, fitness and their effect on mental health. Also included is a brief overview of the current model for Occupational Therapy, with emphasis on the role of fitness. The essence of this assignment is the fitness assessment which the author compiled after considerable research and attendance to a week long course run by Fitness Concepts (an Auckland based fitness consultancy company).

Unfortunately the author is not able to report on the implementation of the assessment as she resigned from her job shortly after completing this assignment.

Readers intending to use this assessment are encouraged to use the references when prescribing exercise programs based on results on the assessment, as comprehensive guidelines for exercise prescription were beyond the scope of this c;assignment.