VIDEO 5. Bridge

The bridge exercise is commonly used in geriatric rehabilitation. In this exercise, the individual lies on their back, lifts their hips off the bed, keeping the hips and knees flexed while maintaining spinal alignment. The ‘bridge’ exercise encompasses a range of benefits, including strengthening core muscles, correcting posture, improving balance and coordination, and enhancing core stabilization. Neurological geriatric conditions often lead to physical limitations such as muscle weakness, imbalance, and coordination issues. Physiotherapists can create specialized exercise programs tailored to the individual needs of these patients and provide appropriate guidance. 

Instructions for the individual are as follows: Lie on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet flat. Squeeze your hip muscles to lift your hips upward. Keep your back straight and avoid arching. Hold at the peak for three seconds, then lower your hips again. Repeat this movement for 10 repetitions. Rest, then perform a total of 3 sets with 10 repetitions each. Adequate hip extension strength is crucial for activities such as walking, stepping up stairs, and rising from a seated position. The bridge exercise enhances lower extremity stability by strengthening the gluteus muscles