Psychological Aspects of the Injured Participant

The ultimate goal of therapeutic exercise is to return the injured participant to pain-free and fully functional activity. For this to be accomplished, attention must focus on modulating pain and restoring normal joint range of motion (ROM), kinematics, flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, coordination, and power. Furthermore, cardiovascular endurance and strength must be maintained in the unaffected limbs. Psychological influences can inhibit or enhance the progress of the therapeutic exercise program. As such, an awareness of the physical, psychological, emotional, social, and performance factors that may affect the patient during rehabilitation is essential. Only then can each component be addressed within a well-organized, individualized exercise program. C h a p t e r 8