chapter 10 Functional and Activity-Specific Exercise

Must be included in the final phases of a rehab program Necessary for skill development: If you don’t use it, you lose it. Necessary for confidence building (continued)

Functional and Activity-Specific Exercise (continued) Prerequisites –Flexibility –Strength and endurance –Coordination and agility –Stabilization and acceleration ability Start with easy activities. Progress in difficulty and complexity as ability and confidence build.

Functional versus Activity-Specific Functional: –Incorporates usually triplanar motions of muscles used in normal activities –Used to prepare patient to advance to activity- specific exercises Activity-Specific –Includes specific activities and requirements of normal performance –Utilizes tools and equipment used in normal activity –In sport, these may be similar to practice drills

Designing a Program Design is based on patient’s job or sport and position. Needs of job or sport and position dictate emphasis. Stresses of job or sport = stresses of functional exercises. Skill exercises mimic job or sport activities. Skill exercises progress in demands to mimic real or competitive situations.

Progression Force and intensity Speed Distance Complexity Support

Precautions Increase one factor q 3 d, especially in early phases. Provide constructive cues to correct performance. Avoid pain and swelling. Understand tissue integrity: Be alert to progression tolerance. Understand patient’s confidence level.

Figure 10.3a

Figure 10.3b

Figure 10.3c

Figure 10.3d

Figure 10.7a

Figure 10.7b

Activity-Specific Exercises Mimic performance demands that the patient will return to Include specific tasks and execution needs Determined by the patient’s sport or work demands (continued)

Activity-Specific Exercises (continued) Determined by the patient’s specific responsibilities within that sport or activity Developing the activities may require assistance for the clinician from a coach or supervisor Drills move from simple to difficult Can be used to test patient’s readiness