DPT 7203 - Therapeutic Exercises

Credits: 1 hr

This course gives an overview of the principles of therapeutic exercise for patients including but not limited to principles of: exercise prescription, resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, aquatic exercise, exercises for medically complex patients, exercises for patients with neurologic involvement, and exercises for special populations. The objective of this course is to provide the student with sound clinical rationale for use of therapeutic exercise and the progression of exercise programs in the management of patient conditions to provide better patient care. Overall emphasis will be learning safe, effective, autonomous practice utilizing the principles of exercise prescription for differing patient diagnoses and patient conditions. Students are expected to integrate their knowledge of kinesiology, biomechanics, safe patient handling, and anatomy and physiology from previous courses to safely prescribe exercise to patients based on patient acuity and other influencing factors. Emphasis will be on care of the patient with orthopedic, neuromuscular dysfunction, and multisystem involvement who require exercise to attain better functional status. The objectives of this course will include goal setting, direct intervention in relation to prescribing and applying exercise, monitoring response to exercise techniques, and the provision of patient education as it relates to exercise techniques. All course work will be directed towards building sound clinical judgment for evidence-based practice as outlined in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Lectures, demonstrations, case studies, and required readings will reinforce clinical logic and help students learn to apply exercise principles primarily to adult patients with various conditions.