Practice and ethical considerations for behavior analysts in health, sport, and fitness.

Abstract

Behavior analytic technologies are well-suited to address behaviors related to health, sport, and fitness (HSF). As demand grows and the number of behavior analysts who desire to work in HSF increases, questions related to certification, scope of practice, scope of competence, and unique ethical situations must be considered. The purpose of this article is threefold. First, we provide considerations related to obtaining Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Board Certified Behavior Analyst -Doctoral (BCBA/ BCBA-D) certification for those interested in working in health, sport, and fitness. Second, we provide a brief overview of scope of practice and scope of competence and provide specific examples for increasing scope of competence to practice in the areas of HSF. Third, we present potential ethical situations and corresponding questions that HSF practitioners may encounter, along with potential steps one can take to address these questions. Our hope is that this article will engender further discussion among those in our field.

Using a group game increases preschoolers' step count

“…Due to the benefits of increasing physical activity (Normand et al, 2015) and growing interest in expanding the field of applied behavior analysis to other socially relevant contexts (Holland & Slowiak, 2021; Normand & Kohn, 2013), many researchers have investigated the environmental variables that evoke and maintain moderate to vigorous physical activity. Researchers have used physical activity interventions focused on teaching children to establish healthy habits with the hope that those habits will be maintained into adulthood (Kuhl et al, 2015; Zerger et al, 2017).…”

An introduction to the special issue on behavior analysis in health, sport, and fitness.

“…Nonetheless, a mere .09% of certified behavior analysts identified health, sport, and fitness (HSF) as their primary area of professional emphasis as of December 9, 2020 (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, n.d.). Looking forward, I expect this percentage to increase in response to recent resources and publications to guide practitioners toward expanding their reach and scope of competence (e.g., Alligood & Gravina, 2020; Brodhead et al, 2018; Holland & Slowiak, 2021; Normand et al, 2021; Normand & Bober, 2020).…”

“…The objective of this Special Issue on behavior analysis in health, sport, and fitness is to highlight works that offer new or innovative perspectives on the role behavior analysis plays in growing this area of research and practice via (a) informing health and fitness behavior change; (b) designing and evaluating interventions to support health-behavior change or improve fitness and sport performance; and (c) identifying opportunities and recommendations to advance research and inform practice in the areas of health, sport, and fitness. The special issue is composed of empirical studies that evaluated interventions to increase exercise and physical activity among children and adults (Batchelder & Donlin Washington, 2021; Courtemanche et al, 2021; Hanashiro-Parson & Miltenberger, 2021; Krebs & Nyein, 2021; Rosado et al, 2021; Van Camp et al, 2021), reduce rapid eating behavior (May & Catrone, 2021), and improve sports performance technique (Mulqueen et al, 2021); a review of behavioral interventions to increase physical activity of those with intellectual disabilities (Page et al, 2021); and commentary on considerations related to certification, scope of practice, scope of competence, and unique ethical situations for practitioners (Holland & Slowiak, 2021).…”