LECTURE EIGHT: Flexibility Training Flashcards
What does the term flexibility refer to?
Flexibility refers to the amount of ROM about a joint or multiple joints at any age
True or False:
Flexibility and exercise is most important for older adults.
ANSWER: FALSE
Flexibility and exercise is important at all ages
True or False
Flexibility exercises will improve joint ROM only until around 68 years of age.
ANSWER: FALSE
Flexibility exercises will improve joint Rom at any age (even centenarian!)
Which specific area of the body shows the greatest decline in ROM due to age?
Spinal EXTENSION
What does range of motion refer to?
Total excursion possible at a joint form the beginning of movement to the end of it
Joint ROM decreases as we age; fill in the amount of decline between the ages of 20 -70 years old in…
Spinal Extension:
Hip Extension:
Knee Flexion:
Spinal extension: decline by 50%
Hip extension: decline by 20%
Knee flexion: decline by 2%
Is the rate of decline of Range of motion joint specific? Or can the same rate of decline be applied generally to all joints of the body?
The rate of decline is JOINT SPECIFIC
Knee flexion ROM has only a loss of 2%. Why?
Knee flexion is a common action (walking) – is used every day, therefore ROM loss is minimal.
On average, is the decrease in ROM greater in the lower or upper extremity?
Lower extremity typically has a larger decrease in ROM
Ex: Hamstring flexibility decreases in both genders by +/- 14% per decade
What is the clinical definition of joint stiffness?
SENSATION of difficulty MOVING a joint or the APPARENT LOSS of ROM. Often accompanies joint PAIN and SWELLING.
Joint stiffness __________ with age, leads to _________ ROM and is one of the most ____________ _____________ of older adults.
Joint stiffness INCREASES with age, leads to DECREASED ROM and is one of the MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS of older adults.
What is the relationship between joint pain and joint stiffness? Fill in the blanks:
Joint pain to Decrease in joint movement to Disuse atrophy to Joint stiffness
How can the joint pain / joint stiffness cycle be broken down?
Joint pain
Maintain joint movement
(PM exercise is better for OA)
No (or Limited) Disuse atrophy
No (or Limited) Joint stiffness
Maintain function
What physiological factors contribute to stiffness in OA? (4)
- Decrease in MUSCLE MASS (with age – decrease in number of muscle fibres).
- Increase in surrounding CONNECTIVE TISSUE and connective tissue in muscle (with age)
- Change in CHEMICAL COMPOSITION of CT matrix & COLLAGEN (loss of water content= CT less extensible, & more resistant to being deformed)
- Breakdown of ARTICULAR SURFACES in the weight-bearing joints (By age 75, 85% OA have osteoarthritic changes)
When articular cartilage breaks down, is pain directly coming from the cartilage?
No! There are no pain receptors in cartilage, only in soft tissues.
What enzyme is produced and used to form cartilage?
Glucosamine
Many people take glucosamine supplements believing this to help them rebuild cartilage better and faster thus enhancing their skill in sport. What does the Cochrane review reveal about that when looking at a number of double-blind studies?
GLUCOSAMINE works as good as placebo.
Is putting on clothes a BADL or IADL?
Basic ADL
What are four common functional losses that occur as a consequence of decreased flexibility in OAs?
- Getting out of car (SUV vs. Car)
- Stepping off or on a curb
- Bending down to pick something up
- Putting on clothes
An increase in number of functional limitations of an OA leads to… ?
A LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE
When OA improve flexibility, they typically improve on what two things?
Basic and Instrumental ADL’s (BADL’s and IADL’s)
Do adults with Daily Activity Limitations have a higher limitation in Basic or instrumental ADL’s?
HIGHER limitation in IADLs
17.9% Limitation in Instrumental ADL’s
9% Limitation in Basic ADL’s,
What types of tasks Do Basic ADL’s consist of?
BADL’s consist of self-care tasks
Name some BADL’s.
- Bathing and showering (washing the body)
- Bowel and bladder management (recognizing the need to relieve oneself)
- Dressing
- Eating (including chewing and swallowing)
- Feeding (setting up food and bringing it to the mouth)
- Functional mobility (moving from one place to another while performing activities)
- Personal hygiene and grooming (including brushing /combing / styling hair)
- Toilet hygiene (completing the act of urinating / defecating)
Mnemonic:
DEATH: Dressing / Bathing, Eating, Ambulating (walking), Toileting, Hygiene
What do instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) allow OAs to do?
IADL’s are not necessary for fundamental functioning but they let an individual live independently in a community.
Name some Instrumental ADL’s
- Housework
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Managing money
- Shopping for groceries or clothing
- Use of telephone or other form or communication
- Using technology (as applicable)
- Transportation within the community
Mnemonic:
SHAFT: Shopping, Housekeeping, Accounting, Food preparation / meds, Telephone / Transportation.