1) PASSIVE EXERCISES
With passive exercises, movement is produced entirely by an external force with
the absence of voluntary muscle activity on behalf of the patient. This
external force may be supplied by the physiotherapist (as is the case with
passive movement), or by a machine . For example, continuous passive
motion (CPM) units might be used following total knee arthroplasty or
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Passive exercises are typically employed in the early stages of rehabilitation
after the onset of trauma, provided that affected structures are stale enough
to sustain movement without vulnerability to further injury. They may also be
used to maintain range of movement during periods of joint inactivity, and in conjunction with stretching exercises to further increase the range achieved.
2) Active Assisted Exercises
These are exercises in which the movement is produced in part by
external force, but is completed by use of voluntary muscle contraction.
These exercises are of obvious value when strengthening a weakened
muscle, but with the assistance given by the external force they can also be
used to increase range of movement whilst allowing the individual to maintain control.
Another important factor to be considered is gravity. If the exercise is
performed with assistance from gravity, this may increase its effect on
mobilizing the targeted structure.
N E X T⎘