Interventions for Balance, Coordination, & Aerobic Capacity

When incorporating interventions for balance/postural control, consider safety

use of gait belt, overhead harness

consider environment/positioning

with balance tasks/interventions, safely give the pt room to

“figure it out”

what are the many different types of balance/postural control? 5

slide 5

what are the positions for incorporating static postural control? Picked based upon safety, level of control, & functional importance.

Antigravity postures (sitting, standing, kneeling, lunge)

what are important considerations with static postural control interventions?

Symmetry

Upright posture

Use of visual, tactile, proprioceptive cues

what are progressions with static postural control interventions?

Increase time, unstable surface, change BOS, visual input

What are some positions used during dynamic postural control interventions?

Sitting (dyna disc, theraball, UE mvmts)

Standing

Quadruped

Kneeling (tall, 1/2, lunge)

what are dynamic components with dynamic postural control interventions?

Weight shifting

Reaching

Stepping

what are Intervention Goals with dynamic postural control interventions?

Improving motor strategies---ankle (rocker board) & hip

what are progressions with dynamic postural control interventions?

Dual task (don’t change target), change visual demands, unstable surface, dynamic control

Predictive control is important for functional balance, anticipatory balance control involves

Use of transitional movements

Provide info in ADVANCE of mvmt

reactive balance control requires responses to

external perturbations

positions for reactive balance control interventions

sitting, standing, ect

Mechanisms for reactive balance control interventions

Push, pull, resistance bands

What type of perturbation for reactive balance control interventions target ankle/hip strategy?

small

What type of perturbation for reactive balance control interventions target stepping strategy?

large

What are the goals for sensory control of balance interventions?

Appropriate utilization of sensory systems

Change sensory contexts to improve sensory selection & organization

What are intervention strategies for sensory control of balance?

Vary sensory conditions to challenge balance

Vary environmental influences (outside, moving surfaces)

safety training involves use of AD as well as

glasses, pt education (Falls risk, Strategies to prevent falls), home modification, appropriate footwear

Coordination interventions involves performance of 

task-oriented movements to improve accuracy or controls

What is the skill of performing smooth, accurate, & controlled movements?

coordination

What are Intervention Considerations for coordination training?

Slow & controlled

Light resistance for proprioceptive loading

Feedback to focus attention & modulate speed (metronome, biofeedback)

Use of distributed practice for mental breaks

what are the benefits of coordination interventions?

Improved postural control & stability

Improved accuracy of movements

Improved overall function

Improved safety awareness

what are the benefits of aerobic capacity interventions?

Improved brain function, neural plasticity, motor learning

Improved cardiovascular & muscular endurance, physical function

Decreased anxiety/depression & increased social interaction/sense of well-being

what are important considerations of aerobic capacity interventions?

Aerobic activity improves walking speed, capacity, & balance

Balance exercise w/ rest

Provide exercise education

Monitor for adequate intensity (RPE, HR)