Areas of specialization within the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) continue to grow and expand. Currently, about 75% of certified behavior analysts identify working in the areas of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities (Behavior Analyst Certification Board [BACB], n.d.). That said, a growing interest to apply behavior analytic principles and techniques outside of these areas exists. In fact, the Behavior Analysis in Health, Sport, and Fitness Special Interest Groupopens in new window (HSF SIG) reported a 400% increase in membership over the last four years.
Still, as recently as November 19, 2021, a mere 0.11% of certified behavior analysts identified health, sport, and fitness (HSF) as their primary area of professional emphasis (BACB, n.d.). Behavior analysts bring with them a distinct perspective and skillset to address behavioral challenges related to public health problems (e.g., poor diet/nutrition, lack of exercise or physical activity, and alcohol, drug, and tobacco use), poor sport/athletic performance, and exercise and sport-related injuries. As HSF practitioners, they can improve general health and well-being through health promotion and supporting healthy behavior change, as well as reduce sport and fitness-related injuries through behavioral coaching to teach proper form and technique.
In response to the growing interest, a handful of recent resources and publications are available to guide those seeking to enter professions that fall under the HSF umbrella (e.g., Holland & Slowiak, 2021; Normand et al., 2021; Normand & Bober, 2020). In addition, the About Behavior Analysis webpageopens in new window on the BACB’s website, includes a video (An Introduction to Behavior Analysis in Health, Sports, & Fitnessopens in new window) and fact sheets related to ABA in Health and Fitness (PDF, 66KB)opens in new window and ABA in Sports (PDF, 67KB)opens in new window.
The base of behavior-analytic research on HSF topics is also growing. A special issue on Behavior Analysis in Health, Sport, and Fitness was published last Fall (Slowiak et al., 2021). Within it, you’ll find articles describing studies that evaluated interventions to increase exercise and physical activity, reduce rapid eating behavior, and improve athletic performance, a review of behavioral interventions to increase physical activity of those with intellectual disabilities, a review of direct versus indirect competition in sports, and commentary on considerations related to certification, scope of practice and competence, and ethical situations unique to HSF practitioners.
I’m interested. Now what?
I often receive questions from students who want to pursue a graduate degree in ABA with the goal to work in the areas of health, sport, or fitness. Students want guidance on finding an ABA graduate program that will meet their needs and provide them with relevant knowledge, practicum, and supervision experiences. Those who plan to work in HSF will likely need extra training in certain areas, depending on what they were able to learn throughout their academic career and supervised experiences. Below are six tips I hope you will find helpful:
- When looking for potential graduate programs, begin by reviewing ABAI’s list of accredited programs in behavior analysisopens in new window. Accredited programs exist at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
- Take a close look at each graduate program’s curriculum to determine whether and what types of practicum, internship, and/or supervision experiences exist. While some programs include these experiences as part of the degree requirements, it is not true of all.
- If you plan to become a certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analystopens in new window (BCBA), and the program you want to attend does not provide relevant experiences through which you can accrue the necessary supervised fieldwork hours, you will need to seek supervision from outside the program.
- Review faculty profiles to identify those who are doing research aligned with your general interests. Contact faculty whose work sparks your interest. In my experience, faculty enjoy hearing from and speaking with prospective students.
- Take relevant courses in undergraduate and/or graduate school. For example, if you are an undergraduate psychology major interested in health coaching, consider a minor in public health. If complementary minor programs do not exist at your university, look for individual courses in health, nutrition, exercise science, and sport and exercise psychology.
- Get involved with members of relevant professional organizations. The HSF SIGopens in new window is an affiliated special interest group of the Association for Behavior Analysis Internationalopens in new window (ABAI). Members have access to a variety of member-only resources, including recordings of past HSF Practitioner Panel webinars. Student members have opportunities to apply for student research grants and to connect with practitioners in the field who may offer supervision and mentorship. The HSF SIG’s Facebook Groupopens in new window is open to anyone (members and nonmembers) who is interested in this application of behavior analysis. It's a great place to connect with others, ask questions, and stay on top of events for professional development and resources.
References
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.). BACB certificant data. https://www.bacb.com/bacb-certificant-data/opens in new window
Holland, M. A., & Slowiak, J. M. (2021). Practice and ethical considerations for behavior analysts in health, sport, and fitness. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 21(3), 314–325. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000188opens in new window
Normand, M. P., & Bober, J. (2020). Health coaching by behavior analysts in practice: How and why. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 20(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000171opens in new window
Normand, M. P., Dallery, J., & Slanzi, C. M. (2021). Leveraging applied behavior analysis research and practice in the service of public health. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(2), 457–483. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.832opens in new window
Slowiak, J. M., Miltenberger, R. G., & Van Camp, C. M. (Eds.). (2021). Behavior Analysis in Health, Sport, and Fitness [Special issue]. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 21(3). https://psycnet.apa.org/PsycARTICLES/journal/bar/21/3
About the author
Julie M. Slowiak, PhD, BCBA-D, is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota Duluthopens in new window. She is a board certified behavior analyst—doctoral and the founder of InJewel LLCopens in new window, a values-focused coaching and consulting company. Julie also serves as the executive director of the Behavior Analysis in Health, Sport, and Fitness Special Interest Groupopens in new window.
At UMD, Julie developed and teaches an undergraduate course, Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Change. She sees it as part of her purpose to introduce undergraduate students to the field of behavior analysis, get them excited about its many applications, and provide them with the opportunity to use behavioral principles to improve some aspect of their wellbeing.
Julie’s research blends her training in applied behavior analysis and organizational behavior management with topics studied in the fields of occupational health psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and applied sports psychology. Julie’s current research projects relate to personal and professional self-care, job-related burnout, the impact of chronic illness on work, coach and athlete wellbeing, and sport injury rehabilitation. Learn more about her and her students’ research on her Wellbeing and Behavioral Science Lab websiteopens in new window.
You are welcome to connect with Julie online via Instagramopens in new window, Facebookopens in new window, and LinkedInopens in new window.
