EXERCISE & ACTIVITY CHAPTER 24

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY Activity and exercise are important for physical and mental well-being. Activity can be limited due to: Illness Surgery Injuries Pain Aging Chronic illness Prolonged bed rest

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY Deconditioning is the loss of muscle strength from inactivity. Clients should be encouraged to be as active as possible because older adults become deconditioned quickly.

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY BED REST Bed rest can be ordered for several reasons: To reduce physical activity To reduce pain To encourage rest To regain strength To promote healing

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY COMPLICATIONS OF BED REST Lack of exercise can cause serious complications. Every body system is affected (see handout). Complications can include: Pressure ulcers Constipation Fecal impaction UTI’s Renal calculi Blood clots Pneumonia

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY Contractures (lack of joint mobility caused by shortening of the muscle pg. 486) Atrophy (decrease in size or wasting of tissue pg 486) Orthostatic hypotension (drop in BP after standing or sitting causing dizziness, weakness) Syncope (fainting or LOC)

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY EXERCISE Exercise helps to prevent contractures, atrophy and other complications of bed rest. ROM (range of motion) exercises: the movement of a joint to the extent possible without causing pain. ROM can be: Active Passive Active assistive

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY ROM Definitions can be found on pg 485 Abduction Adduction Extension Flexion Hyperextension Dorsiflexion Rotation Internal rotation External rotation Plantar flexion Pronation Supination Definitions can be found on pg 485

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY AMBULATION Regular walking helps to prevent deconditioning. Ambulation is the act of walking Walking aids may be used such as: Crutches Walkers Canes PROCEDURE : Helping the person to walk pg 498

EXERCISE & ACTIVITY FALLS PROCEDURE: Helping the falling person pg 501 A client may fall when walking or standing because they are weak, dizzy or lightheaded. Make sure your client is wearing non-skid shoes/slippers Never try to stop a fall while it is happening, this can cause greater harm PROCEDURE: Helping the falling person pg 501

ROM EXERCISES Head & neck Shoulders Elbow Forearm Flexion/Extension/Hyperextension Rotation Lateral flexion Shoulders Flexion/Extension Abduction/adduction External/internal rotation Elbow Flexion/extension Forearm Supination/pronation

ROM EXERCISES Wrist Thumb Fingers Flexion/extension/hyperextension Ulnar flexion/radial flexion Thumb Abduction/adduction Extension/flexion Opposition Fingers Flexion/extension

ROM EXERCISES Hip Knee Ankle Foot Toes Flexion/extension/hyperextension Abduction/adduction Internal/external rotation Knee Flexion/extension Ankle Dorsiflexion/plantar flexion Foot Supination/pronation Toes