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Conditioning Exercises: Sitting

Conditioning Exercises: Sitting

All of these exercises are done sitting at the edge of the bed or in a chair. Bend your knees and
keep your feet flat on the floor. Do only the exercises checked by your therapist.

Repeat each exercises _____ times, _____ times a day.

___ Flexion / Extension

  • Straighten your right leg as you breathe out.
  • Return your leg to the starting position as you breathe in.
  • Repeat with your left leg.
Woman sitting on chair straightens out one leg

___ Shoulder Flexion

  • Start with your arms at your sides.
  • Lift your right arm straight up and over your head as you breathe in.
  • Lower your right arm to your side as you breathe out.
  • Repeat with your left arm.
Woman sitting on chair, raising right arm up straight in front of her

___ Trunk Rotations

  • Put your hands on your hips.
  • As you breathe out turn your upper body and head toward the right.
  • As you breathe in, turn back to the starting position.
  • Then as you breathe out, turn toward the left.
  • Return to the starting position as you breathe in.
  • Repeat in each direction.
Woman sitting on chair rotating at the waist

___ Shoulder Abduction

  • Start with your arms at your sides.
  • Lift your right arm out to your side and up over your head as you breathe in.
  • Lower your right arm to your side as you breathe out.
  • Repeat with left arm.
Woman sitting on chair raising arm up to the side and toward ceiling

___ Hip / Knee Flexion

  • Raise your right knee up towards your chest as you breathe out.
  • Lower your leg to the starting position as you breathe in.
  • Repeat with your left leg.
Man sittin gon chair raising right knee

___ Shoulder Circles

  • Put your hands on your shoulders.
  • Make ten circles forward and ten circles backward with your elbows.
Woman sitting on chair with arms bent touching shoulders, making circles with arms

___ Shoulder Press

  • Rest your right hand on your right shoulder with elbow bent.
  • Bring your arm to shoulder level out to the side.
  • Slowly raise your right arm over your head, straightening your elbow while you breathe in.
  • Lower your right arm and rest your hand on your shoulder as you breathe out.
  • Repeat with left arm.
Woman toughing shoulder, raising arm up straight

© 2001 – July 1, 2019, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.

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