Functional Mobility Training

What is Functional Mobility Training and What Does it Involve?

At its core, functional mobility training focuses on implementing exercises and therapeutic activities that improve an individual’s ability to move with efficiency and safety in their daily lives. 

This form of training isn’t about typical aspects like building strength and endurance, but rather places a key focus on the practical movements most people use every day. These include actions such as standing up, walking, climbing and descending stairs, reaching, transitioning between different positions, etc.

The aim is to help individuals perform these actions appropriately in ways that can reduce the likelihood of injury, while also improving things like balance and coordination, flexibility, strength, and more.

• Balance and coordination: Functional training aims to reduce the risk of falls or tripping over, while improving overall stability while moving.

• Flexibility/range of motion: This involves different training and techniques to help ensure that joints and muscles can move through their full range to support daily tasks.

• Strength training: Often focuses on strengthening the core, legs, and stabilising muscles that provide greater ease for functional movements.

• Gait training: Sometimes walking patterns and efficiency needs to be addressed to reduce the likelihood of potential injury or falls caused by abnormal walking patterns.

• Task-related exercises: These focus on practicing and refining real-life movements such as getting in or out of bed, going from sitting to standing, reaching overhead, etc. 

What is Functional Mobility Training and What Does it Involve?

At its core, functional mobility training focuses on implementing exercises and therapeutic activities that improve an individual’s ability to move with efficiency and safety in their daily lives. 

This form of training isn’t about typical aspects like building strength and endurance, but rather places a key focus on the practical movements most people use every day. These include actions such as standing up, walking, climbing and descending stairs, reaching, transitioning between different positions, etc.

The aim is to help individuals perform these actions appropriately in ways that can reduce the likelihood of injury, while also improving things like balance and coordination, flexibility, strength, and more.

• Balance and coordination: Functional training aims to reduce the risk of falls or tripping over, while improving overall stability while moving.

• Flexibility/range of motion: This involves different training and techniques to help ensure that joints and muscles can move through their full range to support daily tasks.

• Strength training: Often focuses on strengthening the core, legs, and stabilising muscles that provide greater ease for functional movements.

• Gait training: Sometimes walking patterns and efficiency needs to be addressed to reduce the likelihood of potential injury or falls caused by abnormal walking patterns.

• Task-related exercises: These focus on practicing and refining real-life movements such as getting in or out of bed, going from sitting to standing, reaching overhead, etc. 

Who Can Benefit from Mobility Training at Conscious Healthcare SA?

The truth is that almost anyone can benefit from functional mobility training, as learning the right way to perform different actions and strengthening core parts of the body can go a long way in helping anyone reduce the likelihood of injury or discomfort over time.

However, it is an actively beneficial form of training for individuals with specific conditions or needs, including:

Depending on the goals and medical needs of the individual, functional mobility training is usually led by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

Who Can Benefit from Mobility Training at Conscious Healthcare SA?

The truth is that almost anyone can benefit from functional mobility training, as learning the right way to perform different actions and strengthening core parts of the body can go a long way in helping anyone reduce the likelihood of injury or discomfort over time.

However, it is an actively beneficial form of training for individuals with specific conditions or needs, including:

Depending on the goals and medical needs of the individual, functional mobility training is usually led by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

How Do Therapists Tailor Mobility Programs for Different Levels of Ability?

The therapists at Conscious Healthcare SA always tailor mobility programs by speaking directly with the client (and their guardians, if applicable) to find out what their current challenges are and which mobility efforts they want to address the most.

By gaining a better understanding of the client’s goals and current mobility limitations, programs can be customised accordingly. And, if any assistive tools or equipment would benefit the client, these will be integrated into the training.

How Do Therapists Tailor Mobility Programs for Different Levels of Ability?

The therapists at Conscious Healthcare SA always tailor mobility programs by speaking directly with the client (and their guardians, if applicable) to find out what their current challenges are and which mobility efforts they want to address the most.

By gaining a better understanding of the client’s goals and current mobility limitations, programs can be customised accordingly. And, if any assistive tools or equipment would benefit the client, these will be integrated into the training.

What Kind of Equipment or Assistive Tools are Used?

If the client requires the use of assistive tools to help them achieve their functional mobility goals, these can be included in the training. This includes wheelchairs, walking canes and frames, crutches, side rails, hearing aids, bathroom rails, and more.

What Kind of Equipment or Assistive Tools are Used?

If the client requires the use of assistive tools to help them achieve their functional mobility goals, these can be included in the training. This includes wheelchairs, walking canes and frames, crutches, side rails, hearing aids, bathroom rails, and more.