Teaching manual: fundamentals of therapeutic exercise prescription in Physiotherapy

This teaching manual systematically and practically addresses the prescription of therapeutic exercise in physiotherapy, with the aim of serving as a reference material for various subjects within the Physiotherapy Degree program. The work is conceived from both a teaching and clinical perspective, integrating the principles of physiotherapeutic reasoning and evidence-based practice.

The content is structured around the patient assessment process, including functional evaluation, movement analysis, and the identification of clinically relevant factors for decision-making. Based on this assessment, the fundamentals of therapeutic exercise programming and periodization are developed, adapting the intervention to musculoskeletal conditions and other dysfunctions, as well as to the individual characteristics of each patient.

The manual describes in detail the components of a therapeutic exercise session, from warm-up to cool-down, providing clear criteria for design, dosage, and load monitoring. It also includes a specific section dedicated to therapeutic exercise in patients with pain, addressing exercise adaptation, discomfort management, recovery between sessions, and progressive exposure to movement.

Overall, this work aims to facilitate the acquisition of professional skills, foster critical thinking, and reinforce the role of the physiotherapist as an expert healthcare professional in prescribing therapeutic exercise.