What type of exercises are good for elderly Clint’s that want to be able to garden, I.e., getting down on knees with a par
Hello Mary Moy,
Eccentric squats are great. Be careful not to over abduct or adduct the legs which may compromise the hip. I also look at the physical therapy routine with the client to progress them safely.
We do the exercises in a certain order to make the client get on and off the floor during the exercise session.
Don’t forget the balance work.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit
Karin’s and John’s answers are excellent. Karin’s suggestion to get a of the PT’s recommendation is right on the mark. I would also suggest strengthening his core, working on flexibility and on cardiovascular fitness. I’d recommend slow intervals up to ventilation threshold (7 or 8 on RPE scale) on a treadmill or recumbent cycle, slow down to easy breathing (3 or 4 RPE), then speed up again.
Good luck.
Hi Mary,
even though the doctor has given an okay without restrictions, I would ask the client for a copy of the exercises that s/he got from the physical therapist and then take it from there.
You should still do an assessment as you would for everybody else, and you will find abilities or lack thereof. You may conceivably find other issues that have nothing to do with the hip or may be the result of gait alterations prior to the surgery because of pain.
I would also not just focus on ‘gardening’ exercises but provide a well-rounded program which also includes core strength, balance and flexibility.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
A client of mine had a hip replacement before he came to see me. I started with swish ball wall squats keeping the depth very swallow and over time gradually increase the depth. Then progress onto sit down squats on a bench and eventually just body weight squats. Squats will be good to build the strength needed in the legs for your client to get down and up from a kneeling position. My client progressed quickly but everyone is individual so don’t rush these movements.
Then once the squat is covered I would develop onto doing some dumbbell deadlifts so that your client learns how to pick up and put down tools whilst in the garden.
Hope this helps.