Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

23-Jul-2021

Arch Hellen Med, 38(4), July-August 2021, 565-567

SHORT REVIEW

Movement science as the basis of modern physiotherapy

R.B. Shepherd,¹ V.C. Skoutelis^2,3
¹Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
²School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
³Laboratory of Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Study of Motion, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Attica, Greece

Over the last 40 years, adult and pediatric neuromotor rehabilitation has moved away from a neurodevelopmental model to a model based on movement science. Motor learning is now the key to effective motor development and optimal motor performance. Increasing irrefutable evidence, including investigations into brain plasticity, supports the view that the focus in physiotherapy should be on the self-initiated action of the individual. This entails applying methods based on training goal- and task-oriented movements in an enriched and challenging environment that allows for intensive practice. Physiotherapists need to understand and follow the current evidence-based model of rehabilitation, in order to optimize functional performance and independence following brain and musculoskeletal injuries in children and adults.

Key words: Motor learning, Neuroscience, Pediatrics, Physiotherapy, Task- and context-specific intervention.