Exercise for Individuals with Lower-Extremity Amputations: A Literature Review
Session Title
Other Abstracts
Faculty Mentor
Janet Wojcik, Ph.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Abstract
Lower-extremity amputations may be needed due to vascular and circulatory diseases, trauma, treatment for tumors, and congenital deformities. A lower-extremity amputation makes it difficult for an individual to meet the required American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for physical activity, however, it is still essential for amputees to exercise. A study looking at gait before, during, and after a self-paced walk on the treadmill found sound side ankle biomechanics were reduced due to fatigue of the sound side plantar flexors and was compensated by a greater effort on the prosthetic side. The knee joint on the prosthetic side showed increased flexion to facilitate the rotation of the prosthetic shank. Research has found that after lower-limb amputees underwent a 12-week exercise intervention that included endurance, strength, flexibility, dynamic balance, and cardiovascular fitness resulted in fewer falls, and higher gait speed, force, and velocity. Amputees should strive to perform 30 minutes of cardiovascular training at least 3 times a week doing activities such as walking or running. They should exercise at 40-80% heart rate reserve (HRR) until they are able to build up to higher intensity. Amputees should resistance train two times per week at an perceived exertion of 11-16 on the Borg Scale. The exercises should include squats, sit-ups, step-ups, and calf raises. Building up strength and endurance in amputees to eventually meet the ACSM guidelines for exercise will help the amputees to build strength and coordination to help prevent falls and make the tasks of daily living easier.
Course Assignment
EXSC 511 – Wojcik
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Exercise for Individuals with Lower-Extremity Amputations: A Literature Review
Lower-extremity amputations may be needed due to vascular and circulatory diseases, trauma, treatment for tumors, and congenital deformities. A lower-extremity amputation makes it difficult for an individual to meet the required American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for physical activity, however, it is still essential for amputees to exercise. A study looking at gait before, during, and after a self-paced walk on the treadmill found sound side ankle biomechanics were reduced due to fatigue of the sound side plantar flexors and was compensated by a greater effort on the prosthetic side. The knee joint on the prosthetic side showed increased flexion to facilitate the rotation of the prosthetic shank. Research has found that after lower-limb amputees underwent a 12-week exercise intervention that included endurance, strength, flexibility, dynamic balance, and cardiovascular fitness resulted in fewer falls, and higher gait speed, force, and velocity. Amputees should strive to perform 30 minutes of cardiovascular training at least 3 times a week doing activities such as walking or running. They should exercise at 40-80% heart rate reserve (HRR) until they are able to build up to higher intensity. Amputees should resistance train two times per week at an perceived exertion of 11-16 on the Borg Scale. The exercises should include squats, sit-ups, step-ups, and calf raises. Building up strength and endurance in amputees to eventually meet the ACSM guidelines for exercise will help the amputees to build strength and coordination to help prevent falls and make the tasks of daily living easier.
