Client Interview: Goals and Needs Analysis for Training Program

Date: September 20, 2020

Completed by: Monica Sze

PROFILE
Name: Sabrina Brellisford
Age: 21 years old
Gender: Female
Occupation:
• Full-time student (Niagara College, Grad. certificate program, Exercise Science for Health and
Performance), previous (undergraduate degree in Kinesiology/Activity & Aging, McMaster U)
• Part-time job as a porter at local hospital (shifts mostly on weekends)

MEDICAL HISTORY
Medications: N/A

Chronic Health conditions: N/A

Any restrictions on exercise as per Physician?

Yes, see below (severe concussion 2018)

Previous/Existing Injuries:

➢ Tiny tear in labrum (left shoulder) – February 2018

➢ 2-3 months of lightened exercise on injured area, ROM to 100% after this time
➢ Generally unaffected during physical activity since (client expresses at times may feel slight twinge in
this area when doing random tasks (could be ADL or exercise)

➢ Client sustained severe concussion in October 2018

➢ Physician recommended no physical activity for minimum of 2 months – with gradual return to activity
as tolerated
➢ At the time of incident and months preceding experienced fatigue, headaches, neck issues
(tension/pain), cognitive effects (memory loss, difficulty focusing), speech effects (increase in stutter),
and depression
➢ Rehabilitation included rest, limiting screen time, break from fitness/sports, saw physiotherapist
regularly (mainly focused on relieving neck tension)
➢ Return to light physical activity in December 2018 and gradual return to normal since

➢ Secondary – mild concussion March 2019

➢ At time of incident experienced mild symptoms (dizziness, headache)
➢ Symptoms cleared within a few days - normal activity resumed

Additional Comments:

Client is a healthy individual with no chronic health issues and/or medications to be considered. Client
expresses that previous injuries are not affecting her currently but will have to closely monitor any
development of symptoms* (both with concussion and labrum tear) as program duration/intensity grows.

* https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/index.html
FITNESS & ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE
Current level of activity:
➢ Client expresses that since March 2020 (onset of COVID global pandemic) level of activity has
drastically decreased
➢ Due to gyms shutting down (where the majority of her exercise took place) and school year ending
(previous training tied to University sport team)
➢ For previous six months activity consists mainly of outdoor based activities (hiking, walking, biking)
➢ Client’s part-time job as a porter requires her to be on her feet all day, requires some strength,
endurance and good mobility

Previous level of activity:

➢ Client has always been active and involved in team sports as a child and teen
➢ For past 3 years (from March 2020), client was training regularly and played for her University’s rugby
team
➢ Trained 4-5 times a week (a few hours per session) - training days varied depending on season

Training experience:
➢ As client’s training experience was tied to her rugby team, she had a very structured program designed
by her coach and athletic training team
➢ Training program was structured and tracked (specifics were recorded per session, with testing of all
team members done twice a year (pre and post season)
➢ Training program consisted mainly of weightlifting, plyometrics and sprints

Physical Activity/Exercise preferences:

➢ Client enjoys the structured aspect of a formal training program
➢ She enjoys tracking progress, collecting data
➢ Enjoys weightlifting most (Olympic lifts)
➢ Really enjoyed the team environment while training
➢ Prefers the gym for fitness, but enjoys outdoor based activities as well (hiking, camping, biking)
Dislikes:
➢ Stationary machines
➢ Prefers strength/power-based workouts vs strictly aerobic

Additional comments:

Client has years of experience with a formalized training program and is very familiar with the structure and
expectations of a program designed for competitive team sports. Client really enjoys dedicating a substantial
amount of time to training and exercise and expresses the difficulty of straying from this schedule since March
2020. Client expresses that she feels her strength and endurance has dramatically decreased and has found it
difficult to be motivated during this time to return to previous level of training. Obvious barrier is gyms being
closed during early days of pandemic as the type of exercise she enjoys (Olympic style lifting) requires
specialized equipment and specific type of space that most people do not have at home.
GOALS
Short-term:
➢ To return to level of activity/fitness prior to March 2020
➢ To improve strength
➢ To improve overall fitness (endurance, mobility, flexibility)
➢ To return to a schedule of a regular training program

Long-term:
➢ Focus on weightlifting and progression
➢ Explore possibility of becoming involved in competitive weightlifting

Additional Comments:

Client seems to be very intrinsically motivated. She states that she really enjoys pushing herself, continually
progressing and seeing how far she can go. Although she has experience with a training program and has
maintained a regularly high level of activity previously, this return to training will be different as it will not be
within a team environment, and will not be a requirement of her involvement with the rugby team. Client
expresses confidence that she will be able to successfully return to this level and progress but understands it
will take more intrinsic motivation and self-sustaining behavior to start and stick with the program.

Other perceived barriers include the ongoing pandemic, knowing that a closure in gym facilities would have a
huge effect on her training program.

NEEDS ANALYSIS
Short term: understanding that the client’s previous fitness/strength level six months prior is quite different
than current level of fitness, a structured program that is well-rounded to address all components of
improving general fitness will be utilized to minimize risk of injury and excessive exertion. Initial program will
focus not only on improving strength, but endurance, flexibility, mobility and cardiovascular health – as these
will be key in providing a strong foundation for the client to achieve her more specific long term goal of
pursuing competitive weightlifting.

Format of program will involve a gradual progression of intensity and initially be more broad than targeted.
Integrating *guidelines of return to training after periods of long inactivity (8-step plan, and gradual increase
in volume following min. 50/30/20/10% reduction over 4 week plan) to ensure safe return to activity. Also
include exercises focused on building core strength/stability and back strength as well as upper/lower body.

Long term: weightlifting (Olympic style lifts) involves performing ballistic lifts overhead. Since these lifts are
done at a faster tempo than traditional powerlifting, training power, explosiveness and focusing on mobility
will be important in achieving good technique. Explore the integration of plyometrics to maximize the
development of power**.

Within this more specific phase of training, muscular strength will be a priority focus with power/explosive
training highlighted as well. Nutritional planning will also be integrated into this phase (referral to dietician).

References:
*https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Fulltext/2019/06000/CSCCa_and_NSCA_Joint_Consensus_Guidelines_for.1.aspx
** https://www.issaonline.com/blog/index.cfm/2019/using-plyometrics-for-power-development
** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637913/
General:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19204579/
Sands, Wurth & Hewit. NSCA: Basics of Strength and Conditioning Manual

PROGRAM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

➢ Client would like to dedicate 4-5 days a week for training
➢ Sessions ideally 1.5 hrs long
➢ No Wednesdays and Sundays
➢ Prefer afternoon, early evenings (no mornings)
➢ Explore options for client to have a workout buddy if possible (to simulate team environment)
➢ Include tracking (even in initial stages of foundational program) to motivate client in seeing/tracking
progress

Notes: