General Exercise Recommendations for ppl living with ataxia

is weakness typical with ataxia?

no, though they may feel weak due to impaired muscle coordination

what are the typical ataxia symptoms?

• impaired coordination

• decreased balance

• difficulty walking

• trouble controlling eye movement

• slurring of speech

what is a better predictor of improve quality of walking, leg placement or balance?

balance

what are the ACSM recommendations for aerobic exercise?

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what are the ACSM recommendations for resistance exercise?

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what are the ACSM recommendations for flexibility exercise?

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what are the ACSM recommendations for neuromotor exercise?

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scores of 5.2 points on the SARA have shown to gain how many more years of disease progression?

gaining 2 or more years

what should be some goals for infrequent fallers?

• improve dynamic balance

• decrease falls risk

• prevent need for an assistive device

• playing sports, etc

what should be some goals for frequent fallers?

• improve task specific skills

• transfer training

• improve static balance

• decrease falls

what are the benefits of balance training?

• improved quality of walking with decreased variability of steps, variability of sway and improved walking speed

• reduces risk of falls

• improves motor planning

what were the results of Ilg et al in the study that looked at intensive coordinative training (4 weeks of intensive therapy, 3 x week for 1 hour) on patients with cerebellar ataxia and sensory ataxia?

decline of average of 5.2 points on the SARA, increased gait speed, less variability of step placement (SO LESS RISK FOR FALLS)

what exercises were included in the intensive coordinative training?

• static balance exercises: standing with varied feet position, sitting on varied surfaces

• dynamic balance exercises like kneeling with arm movement, stepping while standing, climbing stairs, side stepping, walking on uneven ground

what are some exercises to prevent falls?

• stepping in multiple directions

• external perturbations by the therapist while standing or moving

• quadruped and practice of floor transfers

• squatting and standing back up

what is they key to exercise?

• needs to be CHALLENGING

• needs to be SAFE to prevent falls

• motor learning through REPETITION and reinforcement