Exercise Prescription in the Continuum of Care

2 credits · Physical Therapy - Doctorate

Exercise prescription is an integral part of the rehabilitation process and physical therapists are qualified to appropriately prescribe and dose exercise interventions for a variety of populations, including individuals with injuries, impairments, co-morbidities, and additional risk factors. Exercise prescription involves careful screening including history and physical examination to determine a patient's capacity for physical activity as well as their risk factors and goals. This course introduces the science and theory of exercise prescription in the continuum of care. An overall goal of the course is to provide the foundational basis for understanding the body's physiological responses to physical activity as well as understand the acute responses and chronic physiologic adaptations to physical activity, including some of the static and dynamic factors ('moderating variables') that influence such responses and adaptations. Students will be introduced to cardiorespiratory, strength, and mobility testing, exercise prescription, and special population considerations. Clinical correlations and case-study applications will be used throughout the course.