YSG: Improving Through Skilled Exercise

Quick recap

The meeting began with a focus on various physical therapy exercises and techniques, particularly those related to balance, coordination, and reaction time, with participants sharing their personal experiences and challenges. The conversation concluded with discussions about dizziness and balance issues, including potential treatments and the importance of physical therapy, with plans for a future meeting featuring a stroke survivor pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Next steps

• Jessica Chaffin: Present about resilience and quality of life survey for stroke survivors at next week’s meeting
• All attendees: Join next week’s meeting with Jessica Chaffin to discuss resilience and quality of life survey for stroke survivors
• Susan: Help Lei get access to Slack in the next couple of days
• Kellee: Share balance exercises from Flint Rehab and Stroke Association on Slack
• Steven: Continue physical therapy walks with gait belt to work towards returning to regular long walks

Summary

Balancing Skilled Exercise Concepts

Susan discussed the concept of skilled exercise, drawing parallels to the Olympics, and emphasized the importance of balance in daily activities. She introduced the idea of combining two physical therapy concepts to create new exercises, and Steven shared his experience with balance exercises involving walking around objects placed on the floor.

Balance Exercises and Fall Prevention

The group discussed balance exercises and falls, with several participants sharing their experiences. Steven mentioned having a stroke in 2013 and experiencing falls since then. Layli, Lei, and Shelli discussed various balance exercises they had tried, including standing on a bouncing ball and practicing standing on one foot. Kellee offered to share resources from Flint Rehab and the Stroke Association. The participants agreed that balance exercises were important for preventing falls and improving stability, with Susan noting that even simple exercises like picking up objects off the floor could be significant achievements.

Balance and Coordination Exercise Techniques

The group discussed balance and coordination exercises, with members sharing their experiences and techniques. Roo described using obstacle courses and hallway walking to improve coordination, while Layli expressed concerns about using a cane for visibility. Jeff, a new member, introduced himself as a 33-year-old lawyer from Los Angeles who had a hemorrhagic stroke in January and is seeking support to return to work. Susan concluded by suggesting combining balance and coordination exercises, with Roo mentioning a hallway walking technique as a safe option.

Speed, Agility, and Mobility Discussion

The group discussed the importance of speed and agility in various contexts. While some participants, like Layli and Jeff, viewed speed as important for maintaining pedestrian flow and keeping up with crowds, others, such as Shelli and Lisa, focused more on distance rather than speed. The conversation shifted to agility, with Roo noting its relevance in situations requiring quick direction changes and anticipation of obstacles. Susan highlighted the importance of agility when managing children in crowded spaces, while the group agreed that stamina was crucial for overall mobility.

Enhancing Reaction Time Awareness

The group discussed the importance of reaction time, with several members sharing personal experiences. Layli and Susan highlighted how slow reaction times can lead to accidents, whether driving or in everyday situations like handling hot water. Roo shared how driving experience helps with reaction time awareness, while Susan mentioned a nerve issue affecting her right side’s response time.

Exercises for Multiple Physical Skills

The group discussed exercises that incorporate multiple physical skills such as balance, coordination, speed, power, agility, and reaction time. Roo shared an example of climbing stairs while being supported by a physical therapist, which requires multiple skills. The participants also mentioned activities like swimming and walking as exercises that can improve overall fitness. Susan announced that the next meeting will feature Jessica Chaffin, a stroke survivor pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology, who will discuss resilience and quality of life for stroke survivors.

Stroke-Related Dizziness Management Discussion

The group discussed dizziness and balance issues, with Susan explaining that these symptoms are related to the stroke’s impact on equilibrium. Kellee shared her experience with meclizine, an over-the-counter medication that helps with dizziness, and mentioned using a scopolamine patch for motion sickness. Layli mentioned that some physical therapists specialize in vertigo symptoms, and Kellee agreed that physical therapy can be helpful for balance issues. Susan offered to contact another woman for Layli, who may reach out to her later in the week.