Provides instruction in therapeutic exercise procedures utilized by physical therapist assistants. Topics include assessment of joint motion and muscle strength, implications of range of motion (ROM) and muscle testing for exercise prescription, types of exercise, basic exercise programs, and the use of exercise equipment. Theory only-no lab activities.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- General Information Regarding ROM and manual muscle testing (MMT)
- ROM Exercise
- Strengthening Exercise
- Aerobic Exercise
- Joint Mobility
- Balance and Coordination Activities
- Specialty Exercise: Aquatic
- Specialty Exercise: Post amputation
- Specialty Excercise: Obstetrics
- Specialty Exercise: Relaxation
- Posture and Postural Dysfunction Treatment
- Explain the process of assessing range of motion, strength, and flexibility including the functional applications.
- Describe normal and abnormal movement of the peripheral joint or extremity during the performance of specific movement tasks.
- Classify muscle, joint, and soft tissues characteristics and identify restrictions as related to peripheral joint mobility, range of motion, and muscle strength/power/ endurance.
- Describe the theory and rationale for soft tissue mobilization and non-thrust peripheral joint mobilization.
- Discuss principles, purposes, indications, contraindications, precautions, and effects of various types of therapeutic exercise including: aerobic endurance, aquatic, balance and coordination, conditioning/reconditioning, postural awareness training, strengthening- active, active assistive, and all types of resistive, and stretching.
- Define proper management for the cardiac-compromised patient, the obstetrical patient, and the patient with an amputation.
- Discuss rationale for and describe the appropriate use of various types of therapeutic exercise equipment.
- Identify types of established exercise protocols used and recognize the impact of abnormal results on the physical therapy plan of care.
- Identify factors affecting patient motivation during treatment and with home exercise programs.
- Identify barriers in environment, home or work that may impact exercise instruction.
- Identify compensatory head, trunk and/or limb movement during ROM/strength assessment and therapeutic exercise.
- Evaluate a journal article for conciseness, accuracy, and effectiveness of research and application to physical therapy practice.
- Identify potential muscle impairments based on postural assessment.
- Identify relaxation techniques utilized in physical therapy.
Assessment and Requirements
Students must pass this course with a “C” or better to remain in the PTA Program. They must also pass at least one of the written exams, with 80% or higher, in order to pass this course. For each written exam the student does not pass, he/she will also be required to complete a written review of the exam to be submitted to the instructor prior to taking the final exam.
Instructors (or their designees) reserve the right to require students to provide picture identification for test taking, graded papers or projects or other appropriate purposes.