This textbook offers the training needed to fulfill your responsibilities as a physical therapist assistant. It gives you the knowledge and skills to effectively implement patient treatment plans using therapeutic exercise techniques that you administer under the direction of a physical therapist. Detailed descriptions are provided for the gamut of therapeutic exercises, including range of motion, stretching, open chain resistance training, plyometrics, and functional return. It teaches the purpose, position, and procedure for each technique for a complete understanding of how to guide patients in performing these exercises. Three new chapters have been added: Joint Mobilization ; Therapeutic Exercise for the Preparation of Gait Activities ; Application of Therapeutic Exercise Using Sample Protocols. Review Questions at the end of each chapter test your knowledge and comprehension ; Chapter Objectives summarize key concepts at the beginning of each chapter ; Case Studies demonstrate how the techniques presented in the text are applied to actual patients and how physical therapist assistants and physical therapists work together ; Pediatric and Geriatric Boxes set forth recommendations for exercises that accommodate the needs of children and the elderly ; Clinical Guidelines summarize how, why, and when to use specific techniques. With contributions from 26 therapeutic exercise experts, this textbook not only helps you develop the skills needed to become a physical therapist assistant, but it will also serve as a valuable on-the-job reference.

Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise. Introduction to therapeutic exercise / William D. Bandy [and others] -- The role of the physical therapist assistant / William D. Bandy, Beth McKitrick-Bandy, Barbara Sanders. -- Mobility. Range of motion / James P. Fletcher -- Joint mobilization / Clayton F. Holmes, William D. Bandy -- Stretching activities for increasing muscle flexibility / William D. Bandy. Strength and Power. Principles of resistance training / Michael Sanders, Barbara Sanders -- Open-chain resistance training / William D. Bandy -- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation / Marcia H. Stalvey -- Closed-kinetic--chain exercise / Kevin E. Wilk, Michael M. Reinold -- Plyometrics / Kevin E. Wilk, Michael M. Reinold. -- Balance. Balance training / Bridgett Wallace -- Reactive neuromuscular training / Michael L. Voight, William D. Bandy. -- Cardiopulmonary Applications. Principles of aerobic conditioning and cardiac rehabilitation / Dennis O'Connell, Janet Bezner -- Enhancement of breathing and pulmonary function / Chris Russian, Barbara Sanders. -- Functional Progression in Therapeutic Exercise. Functional progression for the spine / Ginny Keely, Eric Robertson -- Functional progression for the extremities / Steven R. Tippett, Michael L. Voight, Kevin E. Wilk. -- Unique Applications of Therapeutic Exercise. Aquatic therapy / Jean M. Irion, Marti Biondi -- Therapeutic exercise for the preparation of gait activities / Denise Gobert -- Principles of contextual fitness and function for older adults / Reta J. Zabel -- Application of therapeutic exercise using sample protocols / Mark DeCarlo [and others] -- Geriatric perspectives / Reta Zabel -- Pediatric perspectives / Barbara Hoogenboom.