INTRODUCTION TO EXERCISE

THERAPY
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

 Define exercise therapy.

 Describe aims of exercise therapy.

 Describe the basic concepts in exercise therapy.

 Define therapeutic exercise.

 List down types of therapeutic intervention.

 List out technique used in exercise therapy.

 List down method of testing.

EXERCISE THERAPY

Definition
Exercise therapy is a means of accelerating the
patients recovery from injuries and diseases which
have altered his normal way of living.
THE AIMS OF EXERCISE THERAPY

 To promote activity whenever and wherever it is

possible to minimize the effect of inactivity.

 To correct the inefficiency of specific muscles or

muscle groups and regain normal rage of joint
movement without delay to achieve efficient
functional movements.

 To encourage the patient to use the ability he has

regained in the performance of normal functional
activities and so accelerate his rehabilitation.
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE

Definition of therapeutic exercise

Therapeutic exercise is the systematic ,planned
performance of bodily movement ,postures ,
physical activites intended to provide a patient
/client with the means to
 remediate or prevent impairments

 Improve ,restore, or enhance physical function

 Prevent or reduce health-related risk factors

 Optimize overall health status, fitness or sense of

well being
TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE
INTERVENTION
 Aerobic conditioning and reconditioning
 Muscle performance exercise : strength , power ,
and endurance training
 Stretching techniques including muscle –
lengthening procedure and joint mobilization
techniques
 Postural control, body mechanics, and
stabilization exercises
TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE
INTERVENTION [CONT]

 Balance exercises and agility training

 Relaxation exercises
 Breathing exercises and ventilatory muscle
training
 Task –specific functional training
TECHNIQUES USED IN EXERCISE
THERAPY
 ACTIVE MOVEMENTS:
1.Voluntary movements
 Assisted

 Free

 Assisted-resisted

 Resisted

2.Involuntary Reflex
TECHNIQUES USED IN EXERCISE
THERAPY
 PASSIVE MOVEMENTS :
1. Relaxed passive movements
including accessory
movements
2. Passive manual mobilization

3. Passive stretching
 POSTURE :
The movement begins and ends
in posture which is classified as
active or inactive.
 METHODS OF TESTING
1. FUNCTIONAL TESTS:
These are used to assess the patient’s functional
activities e.g. mobility (in bed, transfers, ambulation etc.),
personal care (eating,dressing,washing, etc.) household
or garden jobs (cooking, washing up, sweeping, lifting,
etc,) work and recreation.
2. TESTS OF JOINT RANGE:
The instrument, which is used for measuring the
range of motion of the joint is called as goniometer. it is
used to find out the any limitation of the joint range.
GONIOMETER
TESTS FOR NEROMUSCULAR
EFFICIENCY:

These may be Carried out - electrically, manually or

mechanically.
a. Electrical tests
b. Manual muscle testing
c. Circumference measurement
d. Static power test
e. Dynamic Power Test
f. Endurance Test
g. Speed Test
a. Electrical tests:
These may be carried out by the use of
electro myography or strength duration curve.
b. Manual muscle testing:
The muscle power is evaluated and recorded
according to the Oxford Classification, on a scale of
0-5.

0 No Contraction
1 Flickering contraction
2 Full range of movement in gravity eliminated position (Weak)
3 Full range of movement against gravity (Fair)
4 Full range of movement against gravity with minimal
resistance (Good)
5 Full range of movement against gravity with maximum
resistance (Normal Power)
c. Circumference measurement:

A measuring tape is used to measure the

circumference of the limb at a predetermined level.
Muscle strength tests:
Two basic types of muscle strength
tests are static and dynamic.

d. Static power test:

In a static (or) isometric test, a muscle
exerts tension against a fixed, non moving
resistance.
The power of isometric contraction is
recorded by means of spring balance.
e. Dynamic Power Test:

In a dynamic (or ) isotonic test, one or more body

parts moves against a resistance.

This is done by de Lorme, and Watkins methods.

The most popular and traditional way to assess

the dynamic strength is to determine how much
weight an individual can lift for one repetition - 1-
RM.( repetition maximum)
f. Endurance Test:
The ability of the muscles to perform
maximally in a specific period. e.g. walk for 10
mins, 15 mins, 20 mins…

g. Speed Test:
Test the speed of performance using a stop
clock. e.g. time taken to walk
4. TESTS FOR COORDINATION:

COORDINATION – smooth accurate and purposeful

movement.

INCOORDINATION – jerky, a rhythmic or inaccurate

movement.

Activities like finger to tip of the nose, heel

to shin and walking along a straight line are
performed to test coordination.
5. TEST FOR SENSATION:

Testing for touch, pressure, prick, heat, cold, etc.

6.TESTING FOR RESPIRATORY
CAPACITIES:

Spiro meter is used to measure the various lung

volumes.
7. MEASUREMENT OF LIMB/ LEG
LENGTH:

There are 2 types of leg length measurements:

True shortening of the leg (due to femoral or tibial
problem) is measured from the anterior superior iliac
spine or the upper margin of the great trochanter to the
medial malleolus, and
Apparent shortening of the leg ( due to spinal
or pelvic problem) is measured from the umbilicus or xiphi
sternum to the medial malleolus.
 Apparent
shortening of the
leg

True
shortening of
the leg
8. MEASUREMENT OF THE ANGLE OF
PELVIC INCLINATION:

Antero- posterior inclination of the pelvis may be

measured by means of a pelvic inclinometer.
REFERENCES:

 Principles of exercise therapy – Dena gardiner

 Kisner, C. & Colby, L.A. (2007). Therapeutic Exercise:
Foundations and Techniques
THANK YOU