MOVEMENTS
A.L.NOORA NASRADIN
8/12/2023
Movement: is the change in the position of a body part with respect to the
whole body. It is one of the significant features of all living beings.
Movements are divided grossly into two types:
• Passive movements
• Active movements.
PASSIVE MOVEMENTS
Passive movements are actions performed on a person's body by an external
force, without the person actively exerting any muscular effort. These
movements are typically used in therapeutic and rehabilitation settings to
promote joint flexibility, increase range of motion, or prevent muscle
contractures.
.
are divided into:
a. Relaxed passive movements.
b. Passive mobilization.
c. Passive manipulation
a. Relaxed Passive Movements:
•This refers to passive movements where the individual being exercised remains relaxed. An
external force, such as a therapist or a device, is responsible for moving the joints through their
range of motion.
b. Passive Mobilization:
Passive mobilization involves the controlled, passive movement of a joint by an external force.
It is often used in physical therapy or rehabilitation to improve joint flexibility, reduce stiffness,
and enhance range of motion. Passive mobilization can be gentle or more forceful, depending
on the therapeutic goals and the individual's condition. c.
Passive Manipulation:
•: Involves a quick, controlled force applied to a joint, often resulting in an audible sound. The
purpose is to restore normal joint function and alleviate pain., such as a chiropractor or physical
therapist.
Principles of Relaxed Passive Movements
1. Relaxation:
a.
Explaining the procedure to the patient
this will initiate full cooperation from the patient and the attendants.
b.
Preparing the patient to relax so that movements can be
performed correctly.
Position should be comfortable for both the patient and the
therapist.
2. Fixation:
The movements are performed on the individual joints.
To gain desired effect and full range in the joint being moved,
it is necessary to fix the bone that lies proximal to the joint
being moved.
3. Support:
Maintaining Relaxation:
•Ensure that the patient is in a comfortable position, taking into
account factors such as body alignment and the nature of the
procedure.
The part is grasped firmly but comfortably.
4. Traction:
Traction is a type of accessory movement that is performed
passively in certain joints.
The articular surfaces can be moved apart by traction in the
direction of the long axes of the bone.
Traction aids in smooth movement and decreases the inter articular
friction.
5. Range:
Knowledge of normal range of motion available in
the particular joint is essential.
The range varies from person to person.
6. Speed and Duration:
Slow, rhythmical and uniform speed is maintained
throughout during the movement.
The number of trials depends on the purpose;
however, to maintain joint extensibility, 10 to 15 per
session for a particular movement is ideal
ACTIVE MOVEMENT
Definition
Movements performed or controlled by the voluntary action of
muscles, working in opposition to an external force are called active
movements or voluntary movements
Classification of active movements is:
1. Free exercise.
2. Assisted exercise.
3. Assisted-resisted exercise.
4. Resisted exercise.
Free Exercise
The exercises that are performed by one’s own muscular efforts
without the assistance or resistance of any external force except the
force of gravity are called free exercises.
Technique of Free Exercises
1. Educating the patient about the movement so that he
understands the pattern and purpose of the exercise.
2. Suitable starting position is selected to get desired effect.
3. Speed of the movement depends on the effect required.
4. Duration depends on the patient’s capacity.
5. The pattern of movement should be taught to the patient.
6. The number of repetitions depends on patient’s
capability.
Effects and Uses of Free Exercises
1. Relaxation: Rhythmical free movement induces
relaxation.
2. Joint mobility: The joint mobility can be maintained by
the free exercises. Additionally,
oscillatory swinging exercises can even increase the
restricted mobility in the joint.
3. The muscles contracting during the free exercise provide
sensory feedback.
4. Free exercises improve neuromuscular coordination.
5. Circulation is improved by performing free exercises.
6. Respiration is increased by free exercise.
7. Free exercises maintain elasticity of the contracting
muscle.
8. Feedback of the joint sense.
9. When the patient is able to perform the free/active
exercises, this improves confidence
of the patient.
10. The tone and the muscle power can be maintained by
regular free exercises.
Advantages of Free Exercises
1. The free exercises once learned are easy to remember
and can be practiced by the patient without any difficulty.
2. Free exercises do not require any material to be
purchased by the patient.
3. Once a patient masters the exercises, he does not have to
depend on others.
4. Free exercises can be practiced many times a day, as
they do not cause much strain to the patients.
Disadvantages of Free Exercises
1. If the muscles are weak, the free exercises put a lot of
demand on the patient’s neuromuscular system.
2. The patient may perform the movement in a wrong way
and continue to practice. These can be sometimes
debilitating.
3. Free exercises are not suitable for the patients who have
suffered brain damage. As there is no voluntary control, the
patient might develop wrong pattern.
