Setting up an exercise physiology clinic in youth mental health: staff and student perspectives

Objective: Decreased engagement in physical activity has multiple, cumulative effects on the wellbeing of people with mental illness. The aim of this pilot study was to understand how staff and exercise physiology students experienced the first year of an exercise physiology program (known as ‘Bod Squad’) at a youth mental health service. Method: This study was undertaken using a phenomenological approach, purposively sampling four staff and five exercise physiology students. Verbatim transcripts of individual semi-structured interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was assured through triangulation, detailed description, multiple independent coding, peer review and audit trail. Results: Three overarching themes were identified from the interviews–Bod Squad as a service, Pilot resourcing and sustainability, and Building into the future. Staff emphasised the link between physical and mental health, and also the timing of this pilot program. Students emphasised individual goal setting and making plans with clients. Discussion: The first year of this program was broadly positive, but there were also significant challenges that impacted upon the clinic’s ongoing viability. Preliminary outcomes suggest persevering and overcoming these challenges is worthwhile for clients, and all mental health clinicians have a role to play in advocating for and developing exercise physiology in this setting.