At Physique, we have been actively involved with research into training to improve patient outcomes, following a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
The "Bridges research project" developed new clinical guidelines and this year (2025) we are involved with developing a information hub for clinicians Australia wide, as part of a 5 year project to implement the guidelines nationally.
This will ensure better patient outcomes following injury and will help to bring a better quality of life with the need for less support to many people nationally.
The BRIDGES Development Group included: Ass Prof Leanne Hasslet, Profs Liam Johnson, and Mr Peter Mayhew, from Physique.
The guideline identified that for adults and older adults, who had suffered a moderate to severe brain injury, the person should undertake individually-tailored
muscle strengthening exercise, including ballistic training,
across the continuum of care.
The following Good Practice Points (GPP) were recommended:
Assessment of muscle strength is conducted prior to commencing strength training.
For very weak muscles, strength training is set-up to make it as easy as possible to elicit muscle activity (e.g., reducing friction, reducing or removing gravity, working in midrange, electrical stimulation and/or electromyographic biofeedback, and supported weight bearing) and high repetitions are encouraged.
Health professionals consider the muscle groups involved, and their function, when developing muscle strength training programs to improve mobility and other functional tasks.
Health professionals consider specificity of training (i.e., power vs strength vs endurance) when prescribing mode of muscle strength training.
Muscle strength training dosage is prescribed according to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.
Muscle strength training is transferred from health settings to community-based physical activity settings where appropriate.
Comments