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Chapter 3 The Muscular System 69
How is the flexibility in your upper and lower
extremities? In the passive range-of-motion (ROM)
exercises that follow, you and a classmate will take
turns being the patient and the physical therapist.
Record your answers to the following questions as
you work through each exercise.
1. In which passive ROM exercises did you
demonstrate more joint flexibility?
2. Which exercises do you think might help you
to strengthen certain joints and muscles?
Directions:
a. “Snow Angel Arms”—In a sitting position,
keep your left arm straight at your side;
then move the arm straight out while your
classmate supports your left elbow and wrist.
Repeat these steps with your right arm as your
partner supports your right elbow and wrist.
b. “Brush Your Hair”—As your classmate
supports your elbow and wrist, bend your left
or right arm at the elbow and bring your arm
over your head.
c. “Let’s Go Bowling”—Begin with your arm
straight at your side; then move the arm
slightly behind your back while your partner
supports your elbow and wrist.
d. “Open the Door”—As your classmate
supports your elbow, place one hand in the
palm of his or her other hand and rotate your
forearm upward. Then rotate it downward, as if
turning a doorknob.
e. “Come Here”—Begin with your elbow
supported on a desk, a table, or the arm of
a chair. As your classmate provides support
above and below your wrist, flex your palm
toward the ventral (interior) side of your
forearm. Then extend the back of your hand
toward the top of your forearm.
f. “Wave Goodbye”—Begin with your elbow
supported on a flat surface. As your classmate
provides support above and below your wrist,
turn your hand toward your thumb; then turn
your hand toward your pinky finger.
g. Finger Curls—With your elbow supported on
a flat surface, place the palms of your hands
in the palms of your classmate’s hands. Next,
curl your fingers around your classmate’s
fingers; then straighten your fingers.
h. Thumb and Finger Touches—As your
partner supports your elbow on a flat surface,
touch the tip of each of your fingers with the tip
of your thumb.
i. Finger Spreads—As your partner supports
your elbow on a flat surface, spread each of
your fingers away from the midline of your
hand.
j. “Snow Angel Legs”—Lie in a supine (flat
on your back) position. As your classmate
provides support beneath your left knee and
ankle, move your left leg straight out to your
side; then move it back to its “starting” position.
Repeat the exercise with your right leg.
l. “Bicycle”—Lie in a supine position. With
one leg straight and your classmate providing
support beneath the knee and ankle of your
other leg, bend the supported leg at your
knee. Then straighten your leg and lower it to
its original position.
l. “The Twist”—Lie in a supine position on a
mat. With one leg straight and your partner
providing support beneath the knee and ankle
of your other leg, rotate your entire supported
leg inward; then rotate it outward.
m. Ankle Circles—With your leg on a mat, and
your classmate providing support above and
below your ankle, rotate your foot in a circle to
the right; then rotate it in a circle to the left.
NOTE: For the exercises that follow, you and your
classmate should wear gloves.
n. Toe Curls—Lie with your legs straight on a
mat. With your classmate providing support at
your ankle, she or he curls your toes inward
and then straightens them.
o. Toe Spreads—As you lie with your leg on a
mat, your partner moves each of your toes
away from your middle toe and then back
toward your middle toe.