Occupational Therapy In Sport and Physical Activity With Lisa Westhorpe

Welcome to episode 5. In a slight departure from previous episodes we talk with Lisa Westhorpe, Occupational Therapist and National Lead with the social enterprise, Sport For Confidence.

Profile

Lisa is passionate about promoting health through meaningful occupation, and ensuring physical activity is accessible for all. Having gained experience as a support worker and rehabilitation assistant, and various occupational therapy roles across school based practice, maternal health, learning disability, and community and acute settings in the UK and USA,

Connecting and working alongside partners across the health, sport and leisure industries, Lisa shares Sport for Confidence’s work in addressing health inequalities through access to meaningful physical activity, underscoring the importance of an occupational therapy perspective across different settings.

Links:

Physical Activity and Mental Health Infographic (White et al 2024) https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/content/dam/digital/pdf/health-sciences/White-et-al-(2024)-Mediator-Moderator-Systematic-Review-Results.png

Physical Activity and Mental Health Paper (White et al 2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01676-6

Sport for Confidence website: https://www.sportforconfidence.com/

Information on how to join our MovingOTs Community of Practice, where occupational therapy practitioners and students can connect and learn about integrating physical activity into their practice: https://www.sportforconfidence.com/our-services/sport-england-system-partner/

Prevention & Enablement Model – demonstrating how voluntary sector organisations can support the work of statutory services, and move towards a more preventative, whole systems approach: https://www.sportforconfidence.com/our-services/prevention-enablement-model/

Resources to support OTs to use physical activity within their everyday work: https://www.sportforconfidence.com/resources/

Sport for Confidence’s YouTube channel, including recordings of trainings and Community of Practice sessions:

https://www.youtube.com/@sportforconfidence405/videos

 

Interview Insights for Health Professionals:

1. Holistic Approach to Physical Activity
- Sport for Confidence is a community interest company that reduces health inequalities by providing inclusive physical activity opportunities
- The organization uses a unique model combining occupational therapists and sports coaches to support individuals aged 16+ in accessing physical activities

2. Breaking Down Barriers to Physical Activity
- Barriers extend beyond physical accessibility, including:
  * Systemic challenges
  * Staff attitudes and training
  * Psychological barriers like anxiety and uncertainty
  * Lack of welcoming environments

3. Psychological Mechanisms of Physical Activity
- Recent research highlights multiple psychological benefits of physical activity, including:
  * Self-efficacy
  * Body image improvement
  * Resilience building
  * Self-esteem enhancement
  * Emotional regulation
  * Mindfulness
  * Life satisfaction

4. OT's Unique Contribution
- Occupational therapists are well-positioned to:
  * Analyze activities
  * Personalize physical interventions
  * Understand the biopsychosocial model
  * Support meaningful occupation
  * Problem-solve and reduce barriers

5. Future of Occupational Therapy
- Shifting towards:
  * Prevention-focused approaches
  * Community-based interventions
  * Broader system influence
  * Innovative practice settings

Practical Recommendations:
- Be brave and creative in approaching physical activity interventions
- Look beyond traditional medical models
- Understand the holistic benefits of physical activity
- Collaborate across different systems and organizations
- Focus on individual meaningful occupation

Resources for Further Exploration:
- Sport for Confidence website (sportforconfidence.com)
- Moving OTs Community of Practice
- Social media channels: Instagram (@supportforconfidence), X (@movingOTs), LinkedIn

In Summary

In this episode our conversation with Lisa highlights the message that physical activity is not just about physical health, but a powerful tool for comprehensive well-being, with occupational therapists playing a crucial role in making it accessible and meaningful for all individuals.

 

Listen, rate, and subscribe.

Have you enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to rate and subscribe, it really helps us keep the podcast going.

Would you like to find out more about our class leading CPD course for health professionals: Tai Chi for Therapists.

We created this course for all registered allied health professionals, clinicians, and other rehabilitation professionals who would like to learn how to implement evidence-based tai chi and qigong movements into their clinical practice.

If you’re a physiotherapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, occupational or physiotherapy assistant, or other allied health professional visit our course page to find out more.

We look forward to seeing you,

Phil & Helen

Website: www.taichifortherapists.com