Hanging Leg-Parting And -Inpressing

Practically similar to the preceding. Used for children in scoliosis treatment.

High-Reach-Grasp-Standing Leg-Outward-Carrying And -Inpressing (Fig. 69). - The patient stands in Reach-grasp-standing position on a stool in front of the wall-bars, boom, or peg-post. The gymnast stands behind and steadies the patient's hip with one hand (best to steady the hip of the supporting leg), and with the other he resists the foot of the moving leg. The patient carries the leg straight out to the side against slight resistance by the gymnast, who then presses it back to the starting position against the resistance of the patient. Repeated three to five times with each leg.

Fig. 68.

Fig. 69.

The movement takes place not only in the hip of the moving leg, but also in that of the supporting leg and in the joints of the lumbar spine.

The principal working muscles are : -

(a) Abductors of moving leg.

(b) Abductors of supporting leg.

(c) The side muscles of the trunk in the lumbar region on the side of the moving leg (all concentrically and eccentrically).

Effects And Uses

(a) Depletes pelvis.

(b) Given on one side it is used for a lumbar curve.

H. Movements chiefly for Adductors of Hip.

Crook-Half-Lying Knee-Closing And -Outdrawing

The gymnast places his hands on the inner sides of the patient's parted knees and resists while the latter brings them together, and then the gymnast presses them outward while the patient resists. Repeated three to five times.

Sometimes combined with "Pelvis-lifting" (see Knee-parting and -inpressing).

Effects And Uses

(a) Repletes pelvis (Brandt).

(b) If the movement is combined with "Pelvis-lifting" its repleting effect is counteracted. Moreover, by associated movement, the muscles of the pelvic floor are brought into action (Levator and Sphincter Ani, Transversus Perinei, and Sphincter Vesicae). Used on this account for slackness of these muscles.

Half-Lying Leg-Closing And -Outdrawing

Usually given by two gymnasts. These place themselves in the same way as for Leg parting and -inpressing. The gymnasts resist when the legs are carried together, and then draw them apart against the resistance of the patient.

Effects And Uses

Same as in preceding exercise, but the gymnast has a longer lever; hence movement is harder.

I. Combination of Abduction and Adduction in Hip.

Reach-Grasp-Standing Leg-Side-Swinging

Performed in the same way as Leg-swinging-forward and -backward, but the leg is swung to the side.

Effects And Uses

Similar to above exercise.

Crook-Half-Lying Knee-Parting And -Closing

The gymnast resists while the patient alternately carries the knees outward and inward. Repeated four to eight times. Finished by knee-inpressing against resistance of patient.

The abductors and adductors of hips work concentrically.

Effects And Uses

Neither repleting nor depleting to pelvis; only strengthening of muscles. Used as a good leg exercise in general gymnastic treatment.

Half-Lying Leg-Abduction And -Adduction

Like the preceding, but the gymnasts (usually two) resist at the feet. Finished with Leg-inpressing against the resistance of the patient.

Effects And Uses

Also similar to preceding, but stronger.

K. Movements for Rotators of Hip.

Half-lying Leg-rotation (Fig. 70). - The gymnast's position and grasp is similar to that for Foot-rolling.

The patient turns the leg alternately in and out against the resistance of the gymnast at the sides of the feet by the metacarpophalangeal joints. The patient's foot must be held strongly flexed throughout. The movement may be given for the outward or inward rotators only, in which case the muscles usually work concentrically and eccentrically and in the inner half of the range of movement (in shortening). In this case the patient turns the leg respectively out and in as far as possible against the resistance of the gymnast, who then turns the foot and leg back to the starting position, but not further, against the resistance of the patient. The working muscles are: -

For inward rotation, the anterior part of Glut. Med. and Min. and Tensor Fasciae Latae; for outward rotation, chiefly the Gemclli, Obturators, and Quad. Femoris.

Besides exercise for the muscles and joints the movement has no special effect. Outward rotation alone is used for a tendency to turn the feet in.

Rotation Of The Hip Joint Also Takes Place In Wg

close-standing Alternate Trunk-rotation and in Heave-grasp-close-standing Alternate Hip-rotation and -forward-turning (see Trunk rotation).

Fig. 70.

L. Combined Flexion, Extension, Abduction and Adduction in Hip Joint.

High-Reach-Grasp-Standing Leg-Circling

The gymnast stands obliquely behind the patient and grasps one foot with both hands, and resists while the patient carries the leg in a large circle forward, outward, backward and forward again to the starting position. Patient's arms and legs held fully stretched throughout and trunk erect. Repeated four to six times with each leg. Can be done also without resistance. Movement takes place in both the hip joints and the joints of the lumbar spine.

The working muscles are: -

(a) Most of the muscles round the hip joint.

(b) Abdominal muscles.

(c) Back muscles, specially of lumbar region.

It is used in general gymnastic treatment and elsewhere when one wishes to exercise the hip muscles.