Assisted-resisted exercises

Muscles may be strong enough to work against resistance in part of the range and not in others. This type of exercise ensures that the external forces applied are adapted in every part of the range to the abilities of the muscles. This type of exercise constitutes a combination of assistance and resistance during a single movement and whenever it is preferable to assisted exercise as it meets the needs of the musles with greater accuracy. Resisted exercises

Any form of active exercise in which a dynamic or static muscle contraction resisted by an outside force, applied either manually or mechanically. Principles The external force may be applied to the body levers to oppose the force of muscular contraction and there will be increase in muscle power and hypertrophy. Five factors which contribute to the development of muscular efficiecny: 1. Power Develop in response to application of maximum resistance by progressively increasing the resistance.Then to overcome the resistance, power of the muscle increasing progressively to work against progressively increasing resistance. To increase the power, the method applied is PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE, LOW REPETITION EXERCISE. In this, patient is given low repetition of an exercise with progressively increasing resistance. Patient performs frequent no. of times a particular movement by allowing to resist the applied resistance as maximum as possible of his strength.

2. Endurance It is the quality of a muscle which develop in response to repetitive contraction with low resistance. The method used in this case-LOW RESISTANCE, HIGH REPETITION EXERCISE.

3. Volume Can be measured or observed as an indication of hypertrophy, usually develops in proportion to power. High repition & high resistance improve the bulk of muscle.

4. Speed of contraction 5. Co-ordination

OVERLOAD PRINCIPAL If muscle performance is to improve, a load that exceeds the metabolic capacity of the muscle must be applied; that is the muscle must be challenged to perform at a level greater than to which it is accustomed. The overload principal focuses on the progressive loading of the muscle by manipulating intensity or volume of exercise. SAID PRINCIPAL Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands suggests that a framework of specificity is a necessary foundation on which exercise programs should be built. Applies to all body systems in extension to WOLFFS LAW. Specificity of training suggests that adaptive effects of training (strength, endurance, power), are highly specific to the training method employed. REVERSIBILITY PRINCIPAL Adaptive changes in the body systems, in response to a resistance exercise program are transient unless training induced improvements are regularly used for functional activities or maintenance programs. Detraining, reflected by reduction in muscle performance, begins within a week or two after the cessation of exercises and continues until the training effects are lost. Technique 1. Starting position and pattern of movement: this must be well known and understood by the patient. 2. Fixation: adequate fixation of the bone origin of prime movers improves their efficiency. 3. Support: the part of the body moved is supported throughout to reduce the load on weakened muscles. 4. Traction: preliminary stretching of the weak muscles to elicit the stretch reflex. 5. Resisting force: a variety of means may be employed to supply the force used to resist the contraction of the working muscles, e.g. manual pressure, weights etc. 6. The character of the movement: the movement should be smooth and controlled. 7. Repetitions: the number of times the muscles are thrown into action against a resistance varies according to the condition of the patient. 8. The cooperation of the patient is essential during this exercise.