Date: 26/02/20
Total hours to date: 42
This session in the leg clinic was included looking at some more light weight exercises using both resistance bands and dumbbells weighing 1.5 kg.
At the beginning of the session each of the clients had to complete a fitness test, which is carried out every 3 months to keep a record of their progression. The test included a timed walk, where the client began seated and walked to a marker to turn around and sit down again. They were also tested on how many times they were able to stand and sit down in a chair during a 1 minute time period. The final test was to see how many steps they were able to do whilst “marching” for 2 minutes. Some clients found it much easier to do this with the support of a chair in front of them although most were able to complete this without the need of the chair support for the duration of the 2 minute exercise.
To begin the session, the clients were given a lightweight resistance band each where they held onto each end with both hands with the band wrapped around the ball of the foot. They were then asked to point their toes with a repetition of 8 in 2 sets. The same exercise was performed after this except this time they held the foot in plantar flexion for approximately 3 seconds. With the resistance provided against the toes, this helped to promote movement at the ankle and makes the calf muscles work and contract during the plantar flexion movement.
The clients were then asked to position the band so that it was wrapped around their thighs with the band crossing over the top of their legs. From this seated position, they were then able to abduct their legs against the force from the resistance band. This will help to increase strength at the abductor muscles which will be beneficial when walking or standing.
From this same position, the clients then performed a bicep curl using the resistance bands. This helped to increase strength at the bicep tendon and encourage elbow flexion and extension. This exercise will be beneficial to clients as increasing this strength in the arms can help when picking up objects at home.
Another weighted exercise was provided using dumbbells to help promote movement and increase some strength at the shoulders. The clients performed a shoulder press whilst seated for 8 reps. This exercise was then repeated however the addition of the bicep curl from the previous exercise was also incorporated into the movement. The movement began with a bicep curl which then went into a shoulder press, this was done for 8 repetitions. Many of the clients found this to be an easy task which appeared to be engaging with the use of the dumbbells in different movements as to what they may be used to. However, a lot of the clients seemed to begin to fatigue towards the end of the sets.
With the biceps being used a lot in the previous two exercises, the next exercise was triceps extensions to ensure that both the antagonistic pair were being used. The clients held their dumbbells at their side and performed the unilateral exercise while seated.
With the shoulders and arms being mostly used during the session, it is important that the legs were also targeted to ensure that there was a full body work out and that all muscle groups were worked. Whilst stood behind their chairs for added support, the clients performed toe taps to each side and then behind them. This ensured movement at the hip and legs, which also worked on balance and proprioception. The difficulty of this exercise can be increased by ensuring that the foot was not touching the floor during the movement, however this is something that most of the clients appeared to struggle with.

 

Date: 04/03/20
Total hours to date: 44
During a session in the Macmillan leg clinic at Marjon sports centre, exercises were provided aiming at encouraging stretching and active movement throughout the entire body. Two of the same sessions are ran with different clients one after the other, all of which have mixed capabilities.
The session started with finger movements, touching the thumb with alternating fingers. This was followed by the clients being asked to move their fingers by pretending that they are playing the piano. This proved to be a good way of explaining the task to the clients and provided a way for them to visualise the task. All the clients in both groups were able to perform the task easily.
Next the clients worked on their ankle movement by sitting and rolling their ankles in small circles. This helped to provide movement at the ankle joint in all directions. Another ankle exercise included the client’s feet flat on the floor and were then asked to push their toes into the ground. This helped to activate calf muscles and flexor muscles which may not be used often.
The clients were then asked to stand up, with the option of using a chair in front of them for support. The clients then all performed toe taps whilst standing on one leg and reaching out to the side, then the same activity was performed with toe taps behind them. Some of the clients seemed to find this easier than others, with balance being slightly affected but were able to complete the task easily.
Each client was provided with a light resistance band where they held in front of them with their arms straight and hands placed approximately 4 inches apart. With one arm fixed they were then asked to pull the band laterally away from the other. This exercise was given to help with shoulder and scapula movement. Some clients found this task easier than others however mobility was overall good with each client. The difficulty of this exercise could be increased by using a heavier resistance band.
Another exercise was provided to help promote shoulder movement in lateral flexion with straight arm raise. The clients were seated with both arms raised to their sides. They were asked to begin by making small circles with their arms which got progressively bigger. A similar exercise was also given to write their name instead of circles, which seemed to be an engaging task for each of the clients. The exercises provided helped to promote movement at the shoulder girdle in various directions.
The final exercise provided was heel raises with a light weight of 1.5 kg placed on the knees while in a seated position. 8 repetitions were performed for 2 sets which appeared to be easy for some clients, with some showing some fatigue towards the end of the second set. This exercise helped to promote more ankle movement and increase muscle activation at the calfs.
All the exercises that were provided in the session were all aimed to encourage movement in muscles and joints which may not be used frequently or may be overlooked. These types of exercises are important in maintaining good physical health when some movements are limited or if the person is not often involved in much physical activity.

 

Date – 11/03/2020
Total hours to date – 46
This session of the Macmillan leg clinic began with clients standing doing high knees with a chair for support. This was done at their own pace and were not made to feel as if they had to rush this. From this same position, they also completed toe taps to the side and behind followed by heel raises to work the calf muscles.
The next exercises were completed using a light resistance band. The clients used the bands whilst seated to do 8 reps of leg presses followed by bicep curls to ensure that all the major muscle groups were targeted.
Bicep curls were also incorporated using a 1.5kg set of dumbbells whilst seated. With the same set of weights, a shoulder press and then triceps extension exercises were then completed, which then developed into a hammer curl.
Clients then completed a series of sit to stand movements over the course of approximately 1 minute. This then developed into lifting themselves off the chair using the arms of the chair.
The session ended with a variety of different stretches, which was important to cover all parts of the body which were worked to help prevent injury. This included looking over their shoulder to help stretch the neck muscles. The hamstrings were stretched from a seated position with the leg extended while the client bent forwards.
All of the above exercises were completed with ease by each client, although there was some signs of fatigue. All clients appear to enjoy using the different pieces of equipment which help to target all of the different muscle groups to help reduce muscle wastage.