This session begins with the importance of pre-functional co-contraction muscle re-education. Questions that will be addressed include: Does true closed kinetic chain exercise really exist, or is it just a clinical term? Why is the role of the hamstring and hip abductor strengthening the basic core for lower-extremity rehabilitation? Application of short-arc motion exercises for both the upper and lower extremities will be reconsidered. The presentation of these concerns should lead us to this conclusion: clinicians should to put the word “therapeutic” back into exercise.

Course Content

Explain the importance of co-contraction muscle recruitment as a pre-functional exercise
Three Components of Function: mobility, recruitment, and stabilization
• Define clinical meaning of co-activation
• Early application of pre-functional recruitment
Review current research that states why hip and hamstrings strengthening is the true core of lower extremity stabilization
• Techniques in open kinetic chain co-contraction
• True core exercises for the lower extremity
• Scapular muscle activation ratios
• Proprioception: the key to stabilization
Discuss why the word “therapeutic” should be reconsidered for the lower and upper kinetic chains
• Protective exercise concepts for the upper extremity
• Application of short-arc exercises for the knee and shoulder
• EMG evidence of positional recruitment
• Incorporating evidence of the difference between scapular activation vs glenohumeral muscle activity