1. ISDPA Power of Sport Summit, Boston, 10-12 June 2010
From movement therapy
to sport
possibilities and limitations of
different approaches in
psychosocial health promotion
in context of violence and
conflict
Dr. Clemens Ley
Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence for
Sports Science and Development (ICESSD)
University of the Western Cape, South Africa

2. Movement, games and sport in
psychosocial health intervention
- Interest from Psychotherapy to work with body and
movement-centred methods in context of violence and conflict
(e.g. Joachim, 2006; Koop, 2000)
- Integrative Trauma Therapy in post-conflict context or with
refugees (e.g. Abdallah-Steinkopff, 2001; Callaghan, 1993; Endel, 1996; Gray,
2001; Koch, & Weidinger, 2009; Koop, 2000; Schaeffer, 2004; Suchanek, 2003)
- Sport and Movement Therapy in context of conflict and
violence or trauma related (e.g. Akhundov, 1999; Harris, 2007; Kalksma-
Van Lith, 2007; Karcher, 1996, 2000; Ley, 2009; Petzold, 1999; Wertheim-Cahen,
Euwema & Nabarro, 2005)
- Sport in context of conflict and violence (e.g. Armstrong, 2004;
Gasser & Levinsen, 2004; Keim, 2003; Kunz, 2009; Sugden, 2006)
or trauma related (e.g. Colliard & Baggio, 2007; Grassrootsoccer, 2007;
Henley, Schweizer, de Gara, & Vetter, 2007; Henley, 2005; ICSSPE, 2008)

3. Different types of effects of
movement, games and sport
Immediate effect Mediate effect Holistic effect
e.g. physical and e.g. vehicle of e.g. unity of spirit,
metabolic adaptation Education, therapy, etc. mind and body.
(Nitsch & Nitsch, 1979; Knobloch, 2001)

4. Different approaches
Psychological orientation
Movement
Psychotherapy
Dance Movement Therapy
Psychomotor Therapy
Therapeutic recreation
Psychomotor education
Medical Movement, games Pedagogical
orientation and sport in health – social
intervention orientation
Sport medicine Physical education
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic Swimming
Hydrotherapy Functional / physical
orientation
(Hölter 1993; Ley, 2007)

5. Combining verbal and non-
verbal tools in psychosocial
health promotion
- Varity of tools: sport, small games, dynamics, participatory
tools, dance, relaxation exercises, body awareness
exercises, verbal reflection, group discussion, mutual
support, sociodrama, …
- In ‘movement’: physical, emotional & social
- Participatory, active & creative
- Observation of body in movement and interaction
- Safe and protected space to experiment and learn
- Starting from their experiences
- Resource orientated
- Facilitation of meaningful life-experiences
- Making awareness of experiences and action

6. Health-ease Dis-ease
continuum
Stress management
State of
Resources, protective tension Risk factors, stressors
factors (social, cognitive, (social, cognitive,
psychological, physical) psychological, physical)
Sense of
Enforce / increase
Significant
Life Coherence
experiences (SOC)
Cushion
Facilitate
MOVEMENT, GAMES AND SPORTS
(Bös & Brehm, 2006; Hölter, 2001; Huber, 2004; Ley, 2003; et al.)

7. Conception Realization Evaluation

8. Methodology of intervention: APM
CONCEPTION / PLANNING
Impairment Capacities and limitations on Objectives of movement,
(Structure and activities and participation games and sport program
function)
Physical and Physical (activities) Physical
psychological
wounds as - Insecurity in movement and coordination - Coordination
direct impact of - Tiredness and exhaustion, low - Body perception
physical, performance - Reduce somatic pains
psychological, - Physical weakness, psychosomatic illness - Relaxation
sexual or - Limited body perception and sensitiveness
patrimonial
violence Psychosocial (participation) Psychosocial and educative
- Low self-esteem / attribution of culpability - Self-confidence
- Feeling of impotence regarding the - Integrity of the person
violence, impunity and own situation - Positive attitude
- Few creativity and knowledge of - Confidence and mutual support
alternatives - Expression of opinion and
- Avoiding of the problem. feelings
- Social isolation - Creativity and knowledge
- Family and social disintegration - Search for alternatives and
- Spiritual and moral disillusionment solutions
(based on: Schüle & Schnieders, 2004)

9. Methodology of intervention: APM
REALISATION EVALUATION
Methods of movement, games and sports Qualitative techniques :
- Semi-structures interviews
Physical - Participatory group
techniques
- Movements of middle-low intensity, intercalation of breaks, - Participatory observation
psycho-physiological regulation. (Field notes y diaries)
- Stretching, mobilization
- Exercises centered in the body and in body awareness Quantitative techniques:
- Relaxation exercises Questionnaire:
- Orientation to Life (SOC)
Psychosocial and educative - Health locus of control
- Subjective health status
- Cooperative games, etc. - Self-esteem scales
- Movement tasks, drama, popular theatre, role games. - Q. about spirituality
- Adapted movements, games and sports
- Positive support of positive and significant experiences
- Techniques of mutual support and group therapy
- Participatory group techniques