Table 4 Strengthening exercise programme – ideal prescription Weeks 1–12
Week | Strengthening exercise prescription (completed the week after the session) |
|---|---|
In-person Treatment Sessions | |
1 | No exercises. Establishing baseline walking tolerance (current capacity) |
2 | Wall squats: 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week |
Sliding (forwards/backwards): 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week | |
3 | Wall squats: 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Sliding (forwards/backwards): 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
4 | Wall squats: 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Sit-to-stand: 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week | |
Stepping (forwards/backwards): 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week | |
*If sliding not going well, do not replace with stepping. | |
***IMPORTANT: Demonstrate and video all remaining exercises. | |
Phone Calls/Telehealth Sessions | |
5 | Sit-to-stand: 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Stepping (forwards/backwards): 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
6 | Sit-to-stand: 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Stepping (forwards/backwards): 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If doing well, progress stepping to step-ups and step-downs | |
7 | Sit-to-stand: 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-ups (low step): 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week; use low step, monitor carefully | |
Step-downs (low step): 1 set of 10 repetitions, 2 times this week; use low step, monitor carefully | |
8 | Step-ups (low step): 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-downs (low step): 2 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If step-ups not well tolerated continue with stepping; if step-downs not well tolerated continue with Sit-to-Stand. | |
*If applicable, discuss future use of a higher step (and source this) with participants. | |
Participant doing at-home exercises; no scheduled contact with participants | |
9 | Step-ups (low step): 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-downs (low step): 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If step-ups not well tolerated continue with stepping; if step-downs not well tolerated continue with Sit-to-Stand. | |
10 | Step-ups advanced (increased step height): 3 sets of 10 repetitions total (1 set at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-downs advanced (increased step height): 3 sets of 10 repetitions total (1 set at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If step-ups/step-downs advanced are not well tolerated continue with normal step-ups. | |
11 | Step-ups advanced: 3 sets of 10 repetitions total (2 sets at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-downs advanced: 3 sets of 10 repetitions total (2 sets at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If step-ups/step-downs advanced are not well tolerated continue with normal step-ups. | |
Phone Call/Telehealth Session | |
12 | Step-ups advanced: 3 sets of 10 repetitions (all at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week |
Step-downs advanced: 3 sets of 10 repetitions (all at increased step height) with 30–60 s break between sets, 2 times this week | |
*If step-ups/step-downs advanced are not well tolerated continue with normal step-ups. | |
13 onwards | Strengthening exercises optional to continue |