What are the best ways to coach and communicate with older adults in functional training?

In adult learning, knowing your audience is key to aid them in the learning process. Start by: + Asking questions + Encouraging input + Learning the goals of your participants

Understand that older adults vary widely in their abilities, preferences, and backgrounds. Conduct assessments of their physical, mental, and emotional health, and learn about their interests and lifestyle. This helps in personalizing training sessions and building rapport.

Most older adults goals are based on health and vitality. They want to be able to stay active primarily for traveling and enjoying grandchildren. It’s important to highlight the benefits of functional training but even more critical to establish rapport and understanding of where they are in their lives.

An example i've seen in my experience is try to be on your patient's condition, try to imagine being on your patient condition, it'll help you to give empathy to your patient

I always advice that teachers of adults ask for their resumes prior to commencement of classes so as to be familiar with what they are bringing to the class. Otherwise, one may over-teach or under-teach. Having a grasp of their previous experiences and exposures will guide the teacher to give the best he/she can.

Provide positive feedback to motivate and build confidence in older adults. Praise their efforts and improvements, and offer support for their challenges. Avoid patronizing language and focus on their strengths, balancing this with constructive advice.

Older adults have been through a lot in their lives. They will make decisions quickly if they don’t feel appreciated or heard, however, in a martial art, setting, which is my wheelhouse, they need direction with confidence, encouragement, and follow through.

That is really helpful information, We should always use positive feedbacks with older adults as it can motivate them to do better and keep up the consistency with exercise.

Positive feedback is so powerful! There are many different aspects that aren't the most obvious we can bring to positive light to highlight continuous improvement! Acknowledge progress in aspects like range of motion & flexibility; consistency in showing up and showing mental resilience; strength gains and increased mind to muscle connection; and positive life style changes beyond the gym such as healthier eating, reduced stress, and more daily energy! Highlighting the progress they are truly making to live healthier lives upholds motivation to continue to get better even if the body composition changes aren't showing as fast as they want.

Positive feedback is essential for motivating and encouraging older adults in functional training. It can boost their confidence, self-efficacy, and satisfaction. You can use positive feedback by praising their efforts, achievements, and improvements, as well as highlighting their strengths and potential.

Communicate clearly and concisely. Use simple language and avoid jargon. Repeat and rephrase key points and use visual aids like demonstrations or diagrams to enhance understanding.

While clarity and concise language are helpful so is helping the client to understand what is expected and ask for their feedback. “Where are you feeling this exercise?” Then use guiding language- “That’s helpful. Maybe next time we can focus on gaining more connection to this muscle or muscle group to give you a better feel for this movement.” Every person has their own experience with their body and how it functions. If an individual has now had to use their body or their body has failed them at a key moment then the relationship they have with their body may need some adaptation as well.

Help and guide this profile of client to come to their own conclusion regarding best nutrition and training practices for them, rather than talk at them or asking them to make drastic changes, or a “your way is the only way” approach. From my 25 years of experience, this way will lead to least barriers to change.

In my experience, it is helpful to visually demonstrate the exercise, before they perform it. If possible, you can also do the exercise simultaneously, so they can replicate your movement (correcting incorrect movement patterns has still priority thought).

Para treinar e se comunicar efetivamente com idosos em treinamento funcional, é essencial adotar abordagens adaptadas ás necessidades e limitações individuais. Priorize atividades de baixo impacto, promova um ambiente acolhedor, forneça instruções claras e use linguagem simples. Esteja atento á comunicação não verbal, demonstre empatia, e ajuste o ritmo do treino conforme a capacidade de cada idoso. Incentive a participação ativa, ofereça feedback positivo e esteja sempre aberto a ajustes para garantir um treinamento seguro e motivador.

Foster a supportive environment where older adults feel comfortable asking questions and providing feedback. Use open-ended questions to encourage discussion and gauge their understanding and feelings about the training.

In my perspective, this service could also work : • Try to ask the patient the feeling before exercise, while doing the exercise and after the exercise, it helps to build and bonding with your patient, you can also add some icebreaking like asking what major they're working right now, or maybe just some little chit chat about daily living, it will surely helps you a lot

Speak slowly and clearly, and ensure your volume is adequate for their hearing capabilities. Take pauses to check comprehension and summarize important points, adjusting for background noise and group size.

Be patient, be compassionate, and give them the dedicated attention they need when it comes to injuries, aches, and pains. Find ways to make exercise fun and an environment they are comfortable and look forward to coming to workout in.

Crawl-Walk- Run The benefit of being older is that you've made mistakes - been injured and understand what it means to come back after setbacks. By creating a specific training program that is updated and shared regularly you can communicate to your clients (of all ages) the why of your exercise selection and acute variables like - pace and volume - among others.

My primary population has been older adults. I focus on their strengths and empower them to recognize and use those strengths. We work together to ensure they build strength and resilience to do and keep doing the things they love. Sometimes they are surrounded by people telling them what they can't do and what they should stop doing. So often there are stepping stones to stopping. For example, if they ski, maybe they move off the black diamonds. I have worked with 89 year olds who summit big hikes, 100 year olds who still hit the pool and gym, and many other amazing people who remind me that older adults are adults who want to live vibrant lives to their last breath. I coach toward that, at whatever level they are starting at.

Show respect and empathy, acknowledging their autonomy, experiences, and feelings. Use courteous language, listen actively, and involve them in decisions related to their training.

One thing i've found helpful is try to be patient with them, your client is an elderly and the impairment might be much more complicated than your thought it would be, so please have a lot of patience, and don't forget to be polite while exercising with your elderly client

Muchos adultos mayores son participativos y entusiastas aun con ideas que no coinciden con las nuestras. No contradecirlos abiertamente y no corregirlos como niños. Eso aleja la confianza.

In my experience when coaching elderly people it is important to prioritize simple and clear communication and also provide visual demonstrations.

In my Pilates training experience, older clientele mostly need the same things as everyone else: many questions, lots of feedback and concise directional cueing. The big difference I find in training older adults is the need to tailor exercises to their fear factor. As we age, physical fitness is more risky. Children are fearless in movement. Young adults will try anything. But after a few painful injuries, most older adults are scared to move. I promise my older clients that I will never make them do anything that scares them, but I will make them challenge themselves. I let them decide that line. Don’t push. It’s a long game to build that confidence up without injury. Once they feel confident that I will protect them, we can progress.

Non seulement faire preuve de respect est important, ne pas oublier d’où l’on vient, nous sommes ici grâce à nos aînés , nos ancêtres, mais également se mettre à leur niveau d’écoute, en parlant lentement, avec des mots qu’ils connaissent. On s’adapte aux enfants, pourquoi ne pas s’adapter aux plus que seniors?

Speak their language They are wise and they know more than they think and it’s always nice and kind when they know you care When you take the time to know their language and speak to them respectfully it goes a long way especially with your credibility