Foundational Concepts of Physical Therapy

Study Notes

The ability to function independently is important for everyday activities.
Physical therapy aims to help patients improve their ability to participate in activities or prevent dysfunction in clients.
Physical therapists use knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology to design individualized exercise programs.
The goal of therapeutic exercise is to achieve optimal levels of movement during physical activities.

Therapeutic exercises are systematic and planned movements, postures, or activities that help patients:
- Remediate or prevent impairments
- Improve, restore, or enhance physical function
- Prevent or reduce health-related risk factors
- Optimize overall health status, fitness, or sense of well-being

Balance: the ability to maintain body alignment against gravity and move within a base of support without falling.
Cardiopulmonary fitness: the ability to perform moderate-intensity, repetitive, full-body movements over extended periods.
Coordination: the ability to correctly time and sequence muscle activation with appropriate contraction intensity for smooth and efficient movement.
Flexibility: the ability to move freely without restrictions.
Mobility: the ability of body structures to be moved (passive) or move actively, allowing for a range of motion.
Muscle performance: the capacity of muscles to produce tension and do physical work. Muscle performance encompasses strength, power, and endurance.
Stability: the ability of the neuromuscular system to hold a body segment stationary or to control a stable base during movement.

Aerobic conditioning and reconditioning
Muscle performance exercises (strength, power, and endurance training)
Stretching techniques (muscle-lengthening procedures and joint mobilization)
Neuromuscular control, inhibition, and facilitation techniques (posture awareness training)
Postural control, body mechanics, and stabilization exercises
Balance exercises, agility training, relaxation exercises
Breathing exercises, and ventilatory muscle training
Task-specific functional training

Patient safety is crucial in all aspects of therapeutic exercise programs.
Factors influencing patient safety include:
- Medical history
- Medications
- Medical clearance
- Exercise environment (space, support surface, equipment)
- Proper performance of exercises
- Fatigue and rest
- Patient education and home exercise instructions
Therapists must also prioritize their own safety by using proper body mechanics and joint protection practices during manual exercises.

Muscles are made up of fibers that contract and relax.
When nerve impulses stimulate a muscle fiber, the fibers shorten and produce force.
Energy is needed for muscle contractions which come from the breakdown of glucose and other energy sources.
The body relies on the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and remove waste products.