Musculoskeletal Health Issues

and the ASL Interpreter

The Role of Exercise in Prevention
and Treatment

Brian Caster
Division of Health and Physical Education
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-1
 Cumulative Motion Injury (CMI)
Standard Practice Paper, Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf
Warm up prior to interpreting
Movement Efficiency
Fewer signs
Relaxed, neutral arm position style
Moderate speed; Moderate force
Rest Periods
Address Upper Arm, Upper Body muscle tightness
Stretching, Exercise, Alternative treatments

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-2
 Cumulative Motion Injury (CMI)
Some things to add:
Time to Rehab = Time to Develop a CMI.
COLD often more appropriate than Heat in injury
treatment (RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression,
Elevation)
Hand, Wrist, Forearm problems may originate in
more PROXIMAL areas (Shoulder, Shoulder
Girdle, Neck, etc.)
STRENGTH as important as FLEXIBILITY in
maintaining joint and muscle health.
A muscle relaxes more completely after
CONTRACTING against a MODERATE
RESISTANCE.
Exercise and ASL
Interpreting 1-3
 Johnson, W. and Feuerstein, M. (2005) An Interpreters Interpretation:
Sign Language Interpreters View of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Journal
of Occupational Rehabilitation, 15 (3), pp. 410-415.

Handout: Abstract and Tables (article

available online)
Causes, Preventions, Treatments vary widely.

An Individual Approach necessary.

Role of Exercise more widely recognized

(unfortunately!) in Treatment than in
Prevention.

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-4
 Exercise Categories for Today
Top-Down Stretching
Neck, Shoulder, Spine flexibility check
Lower Body postural muscle stretch
Thera-Band Resistance Exercises
Neck
Upper Back
Shoulder, Arm, Chest
Pelvic and Low Back Stabilization Exercises (time
permitting)
Pelvic Tilts
Crunch/Curl-up (Abs)
Bridges (Back)

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-5
 Top-Down Stretching
Neck
Ear to Shoulder
Chin to Shoulder
Chin Shoulder to Shoulder
Shoulder Girdle
Shrug & Hold
Shoulder Blades together in Back
Press Hands Downward
Shoulders together in Front
Repeat dynamically, increasingly large circles
Shoulder Joint
Same as above, with outstretched arms
Trunk/Spine
Gentle Trunk Twists, Palms Up.
Exercise and ASL
Interpreting 1-6
 Top-Down Stretching
Hip
Seated, Ankle on Knee
Hamstring
Heel on Chair (or heel on ground, box, or step)
Calf
Toe on Wall
Chest
Palm on wall, turn away from shoulder.
Shoulder
Palm on wall across body, turn toward shoulder.

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-7
 Thera-Band
Thera-Band Exercise Resources
http://www.thera-bandacademy.com

Neck Exercises

Upper Back Exercises

Shoulder/Arm/Chest Exercises (Level 1)

Shoulder/Arm/Chest Exercises (Level 2)

Exercise and ASL
Interpreting 1-8
 Core Stability
Pelvic Tilt
Seated
Supine
Curl-up
Supine, arms at side
Contract abdominals, hold, relax, repeat
Bridge
Supine, palms down, feet flat
Bridge until supported by shoulders and feet

Exercise and ASL

Interpreting 1-9