5-Feb 23 FITT principle

 

Contents

Exercise testing

1. FITT principle
2. FITT recommendation for PR
3. PT intervention in PR

Exercise Testing

FITT Principle

• Frequency (F): It’s the stance for how often a workout takes place.
• Intensity(I): it stands for how strenuous exercise is.
• Time(T): Represents how long a workout is 
• Type(T): stands for what specific exercises/different types of exercise we can prescribe to an individual 

FITT Recommendations for PR

Frequency

• 20 sessions are more effective than 10 sessions

Intensity

• Programs of 20 sessions should be continued for 2-3 weeks with mild to moderate activities
• Outpatient rehabilitation, 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks

Time

• Each session should last for 30-40 minutes

Type

• Focus on breathing exercises
• Resistance exercise
• Aerobic exercises
• Active exercise should be maintained for a long period

PT Intervention in PR

1. Training specificity 

• Training effects are specific to injured muscles

2. Lower Intensity Training

• PR traditionally focuses on lower extremity training
• Many involve the upper extremity, so upper extremity training is also included to a moderate extent

3. Strength and Endurance

• Traditionally, endurance exercises are used in the form of cyclic or walking

4. Higher Intensity Training

• Relatively longer durations of higher intensity are adopted in endurance training
• Total effective training time should be over 30 minutes but it is difficult to achieve in some patients

5. Lower Extremity Training

• Walking and cyclic are the most common exercises described for this type of training

5.1 Intensity

• Patients less than 20 years of age & elderly patients should be given mild to moderate-intensity
• For normal individuals, programs should be moderate to severe
• The intensity is decided based on RPE, heart rate, VO2max

5.2 Frequency and Time

• Engage in 3 to 4 sessions in a week
• Each session should last a minimum of 30 minutes with or without a break

5.3 Upper Extremity Exercises

• Increase strength training with or without weight
• Upper extremity exercises along with other benefits help in increasing thoracic cage mobility