Exercises for Children with Neurological Conditions: Lower Limb Strengthening (Balance and Coordination)
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) Paediatric Neurology and Physiotherapy departments share lower limb balance and coordination exercises for children with neurological conditions.
Lower limb strengthening exercises
such as stair climbing can help to maintain and improve functional strength in the core muscles and the lower limb joints.
Strengthening exercises are important to maintain and improve functional strength in the core muscles and the lower limb joints. It also assists with overall circulation and encourages functional mobility.
Safety precautions when exercising
Ensure that you had been taught the recommended exercises by a physiotherapist before carrying them out.
Ensure the child is near a supporting surface or an attentive adult during exercises especially balance activities.
Observe for signs of pain or discomfort – if pain occurs, stop and check in with your physiotherapist before continuing further.
Your Exercise Regime
Repeat exercises
as recommended by your physiotherapist – check in with your therapist on the recommended number of sets per day
Ensure adequate rest and hydration between sets
Lower limb strengthening exercises (balance and coordination)
Climbing up stairs
Aim: To improve your ability to walk up and down stairs and train your balancing skills
Instructions: Position yourself standing at the bottom of a flight of stairs holding onto the handle(s). Practise walking up and down the stairs one foot at a time. Have someone to standby assist you in case you lose your balance. | /climbing-up-stairs.jpg) |
Side-stepping stairs
Aim: To improve your ability to walk, run and climb stairs.
Instructions: Position yourself standing at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Practise walking up and down the stairs sideways one foot at a time. Have someone to standby assist you in case you lose your balance. | /side-stepping-stairs.jpg) |
Jumping jacks
Aim: To improve your ability to jump, balance and coordinate.
Instructions: Position yourself standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Practise jumping up and down, with your arms elevated when you jump up, and arms by your side when you land. Ensure that both feet leave and land on the floor at the same time and your knees bend during landing.
Do
30 repetitions | /jumping-jacks.jpg) |
Walking backwards with handhold
Aim: To improve your leg endurance and aerobic capacity more rapidly, balance and coordination.
Instructions: Position yourself in front of the child, support the child holding 2 hands. Standing with your feet shoulder width apart and encourage the child to stand shoulder width apart. Ask the child to balance on one leg and encourage to step back with the other leg. Ask the child to repeat the same with the other leg while you support holding hands.
Take small steps until confident and then take longer steps backwards. Do for 5 meters and increase the distance gradually. | /walking-backwards-with-handhold.jpg) |
Tandem stance
Aim: To improve your ability to balance in standing.
Instructions: Position yourself standing with one foot in front of the other, next to a stable support/ wall. Practise maintaining the position. Ensure that hand/ wall support is used only if you feel unsteady. |
/tandem-stance-b.jpg) |
Tandem walk
Aim: To improve your ability to balance in standing and walking.
Instructions: Position yourself standing with one foot in front of the other, next to a stable support/wall. Practise maintaining the position while walking without losing your balance. Ensure that the hand/ wall support is used only if you feel unsteady. | /tandem-walk-b.jpg) |
Climbing wall ladder
Aim: To improve the child’s ability to balance and coordinate
Instructions: Position yourself next to the child and standby assist by putting your hands on the child’s hips to assist. Encourage the child to climb up safely secured obstacles. | /climbing-wall-ladder.jpg) |
Ref: K21
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