EXERCISE AFTER STROKE Specialist Instructor Training Course L8b The role of the Specialist Exercise Instructor Programme Design John Dennis / Sara Wicebloom-Paul

Content Planning the programme Cautions / considerations Programming guidelines Teaching skills

Learning Outcomes At the end of this session you should be able to: Describe how to design a class/ exercise Demonstrate understanding of programming skills, and how they can be used to enhance a class and, Apply them to stroke survivors across a range of impairments Discuss adaptations for stroke-specific problems e.g. tonal changes.

Essential Reading Further detail about the topics discussed in this session can be found in section 8.3 – 8.5 and Chapter 12 of the course manual

Planning the Programme Exercises need to fit the stroke population Exercises need to fit the individual Risk areas need to be assessed for each participant Document and remind yourself of these regularly.

Teaching & Instructing Participants in Exercise after Stroke Adapting: “ the condition specific adaptations (modifications) to session aims; structure, content,teaching and programming that need to be made to ensure optimal safety and effectiveness with participants after stroke” Tailoring: “the highly individual prescriptive solutions (adjustments,additions,exclusions) that are required to tailor the adapted exercise intervention to each participant’s health, functional and/or psychosocial/emotional needs” (Dinan (2007) Skills Active Level 4 NOS) Exercise Programming Guidelines

Special Considerations, Cautions & Adaptations Start Point: Low cardio-vascular fitness Long rehabilitation period Previous medical illness, inactivity prior to / since CVA Movement disorders Hemiplegia / other deficit -> decreased activity Other neurological / cognitive / communication deficits

Considerations Low Normal Tone High Management of abnormal tone / associated reactions Emphasise postural alignment / symmetry /core stability Relationship between strength and tone Prioritise functional training activities Management of fatigue Awareness of pain e.g. shoulder = Tailor to individual needs/function

Key considerations Individualised / tailored requirements Upper limbs tend to require extensor related work Lower limbs tend to be weaker in flexor patterns but need a proportion of both flexor and extensor related work Trunk needs to be both extensor / flexor but aligned correctly, especially with pelvis.

Exercise Programming Guidelines

STARTER Session Aims Improve all components of fitness Prioritise cardiovascular, neuromuscular function Improve balance/ posture/ gait/ functional strength/ performance of IADLs Increase confidence Motivate/educate ↑ habitual postural alignment Provide opportunities to socialise Achieve long and short term personal goals

Session environment Risk assessment and access Equipment Toilets Refreshments / social area

Session Content Simpler, fewer exercises Order of exercises Steady pace Step by step transitions – spacing, rest intervals etc. Moderate intensity

Programming Principles Multilevel, multi-activity FITT – Evidence based Choice: self / instructor directed options Involve stroke participants in planning, evaluation and delivery Buddy systems to empower and recruit Specialist trained exercise professionals

Teaching Skills ↑ time mgmt, preparation, patience ↑ teach and instruct posture ↑ skilful teaching position ↑ clarity of instructions - visual and verbal ↑ observation, adaptation, tailoring ↑ awareness of individual needs and exercise risk ↑ communication skills: sensitivity / firmness ↑ discussion time pre and post session ↑ skills for using touch in exercise guidance

Exercise for participants after stroke must be evidence- based, safe, effective & enjoyable.

References 1. Harold Rubin, MS, ABD, CRC, Guest Lecturer November 23, Quittian M. : Rehabilitation in coronary heart disease. Value, indications and contraindications of exercise therapy] Fortschr Med.1994 Mar 20;112(8): Gibbons RJ, Galady GJ, Beasley JW, et al. ACC/AHA guidelines for exercise testing: executive summary. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on Exercise Testing). Circulation. 1997;96: Mead G, Dinan S. Smith M. et al Loughborough College Stroke Module (restricted access) 5. Larry Derstine J., Moore G. E. (eds)1997 ACSM’s exercise management for persons with chronic disease and disabilities. Champaign, IL.: Human Kinetics.