Movement Melinda Guttry, PT Jacquelyn Glenn, MA, OTR/L

The importance of Exercise Exercise is defined as movement of our body parts through a range of motion to effect movement. The movement includes transfers, standing, walking, as well as including pedaling a bicycle, water exercise, swimming, and weight lifting. Range of motion is important for flexibility and all movements. If we are stiff and tight, we do not move easily. Strength helps us move against gravity.

The Importance of Core Control The core muscles are the muscles of your trunk. Their function is to make your trunk stable so that arm and leg muscles are able to allow us to stand, walk, and change position. They provide stability for our arms and legs to move during daily activities.

The Importance of Stretching Stretching allows us to maintain the range of motion in the muscles in our arms and legs. Stretching/range of motion should be performed by moving to tension, not into pain or soreness. The body part is moved until you feel tension: hold 30 seconds, relax, then repeat 5 repetitions in each position.

Equipment Equipment is meant to assist us in our daily activities. Equipment provides stability and control when our muscles require assistance. Equipment includes braces, supports, walkers, & wheelchairs. Please be sure the equipment chosen fits you.

Recreation Yes! Everyone should participate in recreation in some way. You must be safe during recreation. There are many adaptations to allow safe participation in recreation. For example: Bikes have safe seats as well as 3 & 4 wheel bikes. Pool floats/ paddle boats/swimming.

Movement and Position in Space Knowing the position of your body before you move is the key to successful movement. Important to know what your most stable starting point is before you move. What other senses do I have that I can use to make movement most successful?

Constant Motion Constant motion interferes with the efficiency of movement How do you control the motion to master the task? Do you establish a reference point of stability before and during movement? Is you focal point in your trunk? Your hips? your elbows? Your legs?

Daily Activities When eating or brushing your teeth, what is your stability strategy? Equipment, weights? When dressing, how do you adapt the task, or decide what types of clothes to wear in order to be most successful? When showering, how do you make sure you are completely rinsed off, dried off?

Energy Conservation For people whose motion is constant, it is important to conserve your energy so that one task does not completely exhaust you. Exercise is an important part of energy conservation, as you use weights, equipment, and positioning to make the best use of your motion.

Relaxation as Energy Conservation Close your eyes: what happens? Relaxation and controlling your breathing can help to conserve energy, and conserve movement. Choose something that will work for you to accomplish more relaxation before tasks.

Equipment What equipment have you considered to conserve motion, to stabilize your motion, to make you tasks safe and successful? Weighted utensils, cups, walkers Weighted pens Weighted universal holders Shower chairs with suction cups or affixed to the wall.

Questions