Active Movements and Exercises

Active Movements

• Active movements are voluntary muscle actions performed in response to or in opposition to external forces.
• Students should be able to differentiate types of active exercises based on principles, techniques, effects, exercise goals, indications, limitations, and contraindications.
• Exercise is defined as planned, structured, and repetitive physical activity.
• Types of active exercises include free exercises, assisted exercises, assisted-resisted exercises, and involuntary movements.

Uses of Active Movements

• Active movements are used for relaxation, joint mobility, muscle power improvement, neuromuscular coordination, and increased confidence.
• Active movements contribute to circulatory and respiratory function, including needing active tissue, preparation for activity, and local circulatory changes.

Free/Active Exercise

• Free/Active exercise involves work performed only against gravity.

Advantages of Active Movements

• Active movements are crucial in rehabilitation and aid in mastering techniques.

Indications for Active Movements

• Active movements are used when patients are able to contract and move segments with or without assistance.
• Active movements are used if muscle weakness or the inability to move completely against gravity is present.
• Active movements are part of aerobic conditioning programs.
• Patients undergoing immobilization use active movements in joints above and below the immobilized segment.

Precautions and Contraindications of ROM Exercises

• Active movements should not disrupt healing.
• Excessive movement or incorrect techniques lead to pain and inflammation.
• Active movements are not performed if the response could be life-threatening.

Limitations of Active Movements

• Active movements cannot increase the strength of already strong muscles.
• Active movements cannot develop skills or coordination outside the specified movement patterns employed.

Techniques of Active Movements

• Starting Position: Important for patient focus and cooperation.
• Speed of Exercises: Initially slow, gradually adapting to the patient's natural rhythm post-learning.
• Duration of Exercises: Adjusted to each patient's capacity, with intervals for rest to avoid fatigue.
• Classification of Free Exercises: Categorized as Localized (e.g., hip and knee bends) and General (e.g., subjective and objective exercises).

Assisted Exercises

• Assisted exercises incorporate outside help (human or mechanical) to enable movements.

Indications of AAROM (Active Assisted Range of Motion)

• Active Assisted ROM is used when patients cannot actively perform ROM due to weakness caused by trauma.

Principle of Assistance

• Assistance is needed when voluntary muscle contraction is insufficient for movement.
• An external force should only augment, not replace, muscle action.
• Assistance should decrease as muscle strength increases.

Techniques of Active Assisted Exercises

• Starting Position: Ensuring body stability for patient focus.
• Movement Pattern: Explaining and demonstrating the movement.
• Fixation: Preventing incorrect movements through proper fixation.
• Support: Supplying support to reduce muscle load.
• Traction: Performing preliminary stretches to initiate muscle movement.
• Repetitions: Tailored to patient capacity
• Patient Cooperation: Critical for successful exercise experience.
• Assistance Force: Applied in the direction of patient movement.

Resisted Exercises

• Resisted exercises involve external forces opposing muscle contraction to enhance strength.