AHPT 218 - Therapeutic Exercise for the PTA

• Upon completion of this course the student will, with a minimum of 78% competency:
• Describe the role of physical therapy in nutrition and wellness for all individuals, including special populations.
• Describe how the processes of motor unit recruitment and muscle force development, the length-tension and force-velocity relationships, postural stability and movement are affected through exercise.
• Describe exercise tolerance, contraindications, conditioning and reconditioning and response to exercise training in patients with various systemic or musculoskeletal disorders.
• Compare and contrast the processes of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, causes of fatigue, and effect of exercise training.
• Identify preventative care practices in various scenarios and populations.
• Identify the principles of therapeutic exercise in relation to breathing and movement strategies for relaxation and airway clearance, including breathing techniques, positioning, and secretion mobilization.
• Apply health, wellness, prevention, and fitness conceptual and procedural knowledge with the implementation of physical therapy interventions with emphasis on safety at the level of the individual and community awareness.
• Identify specific therapeutic exercises for an individual within a plan of care established by the physical therapist, taking into consideration their needs and diagnosis.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish an effective home exercise program (HEP), including implementation of effective patient education and communication strategies, taking into consideration the individual’s needs.
• Identify key concepts of balance and fall prevention including knowledge of standardized tests.
• Apply knowledge of supine, prone, sidelying, sitting, and standing exercises and how to progress an individual through their plan of care established by a physical therapist.
• Identify the difference between AROM, PROM, AAROM, and stretching exercises and when it is warranted for specific patient populations and diagnoses.
• Describe the physiological demands and adaptation therapeutic exercise has on changes in metabolism, flexibility, strength, endurance, and emotional state.
• Identify key concepts of aquatic therapy on specific populations and diagnosis.
• Describe special considerations for application of therapeutic exercise techniques across the lifespan including pediatric and geriatric populations.
• Describe adverse effects of bed rest, immobilization and inactivity on all systems of the body.
• Describe appropriate test and measure techniques/data collection and observation processes related to the plan of care established by the physical therapist and within the scope of work of the physical therapist assistant in the following areas:
• Therapeutic exercise (e.g. muscle performance, flexibility)
• Cardiovascular (e.g. aerobic endurance, exercise response including vital signs and visual analog scales/charts)
• Pulmonary (e.g. breathing patterns, cyanosis, dyspnea)
• Balance and coordination
• Demonstrate knowledge of safe and effective interventions related to the plan of care established by the physical therapist and within the scope of work of the PTA for the following patient care activities:
• Therapeutic exercise
• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Balance and coordination
• Demonstrate knowledge of when communication is necessary related to adjustments or changes the PTA has made in the interventions provided within the plan of care based on clinical indications.
• Explain important data to collect on a patient with a given pathology/condition to assure readiness for therapeutic exercise based on the plan of care.
• Identify the unique changes that occur in the musculoskeletal system and other systems of the body during pregnancy and the post-partum period and special considerations in exercise prescription.