Dosage of Therapeutic Exercise

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Volume type

Time

Reps

Intensity

Goals

Power

When dosing an exercise for power the goal is to barely maintain this type of exercise:

  • 1-5 reps
  • High speed/velocity (short rep duration)
  • High intensity

As soon as the individual cannot perform the exercise at high speed, you are then training strength instead of power. When the individual can perform at more than 5 reps, you are moving towards power and hypertrophy dosages and the intensity or speed should be increased to decrease the possible repetitions.

Strength

  • 3 sets x 8‐12 reps
  • 3‐4 days per week
  • Progress with +5%BW weighted vest when able to complete 3 sets with and RPE <15/20 and no form failure
  • Monitor RPE and quad/hip extensor strength with dynamometer

Endurance

  • 1 set x 15‐20 reps or until form failure
  • 5 days per week
  • Progress speed and reduce breaks, adding +1 set when able to complete prior set(s) within 70‐80% HRmax
  • Monitor HR and number of repetitions completed to onset of form failure

Stabilization

Neuromotor Control

  • 5 sets x 5‐10 reps from elevated surface with blocked practice distributed throughout PT session/day. Verbal and manual cues provided for Immediate feedback on motor performance
  • Once daily
  • When able to complete 5 sets with RPE < 11/20 and no verbal cueing, progress with 1) increases in task complexity (reduced surface height > variety of surfaces > dual tasking) and 2) distributed practice with delayed feedback on motor performance
  • Monitor RPE, level of assistance, and need for cueing

Flexibility

  • 3 x 30 sec static holds at end range ankle DF in seated position with knees flexed to achieve maximum DF with heels in contact with floor
  • Minimum once daily
  • Progress with +10 sec hold time at increasing end range when able to hold position with <2/10 increase in stretch pain. When able to hold 60 sec, progress to DF stretch with knee extended and overpressure with theraband
  • Monitor NPRS and DF ROM with goniometer

Citation

For attribution, please cite this work as:
Yomogida N, Kerstein C. Dosage of Therapeutic Exercise. https://yomokerst.com/The Archive/Interventions/Therex/therex_dosage.html