How to Perform the Exercise
Setup: Fit the patient into the Solo-Step harness and connect the lanyard to the trolley on the overhead track. Position the patient perpendicular to the direction of travel so they are facing sideways relative to the track. Adjust the lanyard length to allow natural upright movement while ensuring the system can engage immediately if balance is lost. Ensure the patient has adequate space on both sides to complete the prescribed number of steps.
Starting Position: Have the patient stand tall with feet together, chest up, and core lightly engaged. Arms should be relaxed at the sides or extended slightly outward for balance. Instruct the patient to identify a focal point straight ahead to help maintain an upright posture throughout the movement.
The Exercise:
- Cue the patient to lift and step the lead foot out to the side, landing with control and maintaining an upright trunk. Avoid leaning or hiking at the hip.
- Instruct the patient to follow by bringing the trailing foot in to meet the lead foot, returning to the feet-together starting position before initiating the next step.
- Continue stepping in the same direction for the prescribed number of steps or distance.
- At the end of the track, have the patient reverse direction, now leading with the opposite foot, and return to the starting point.
- Encourage a smooth, controlled rhythm throughout. Quality of movement takes priority over speed.
- Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions or sets in each direction.
Progressions: As strength and confidence improve, the therapist can advance the exercise by increasing the step width, adding a resistance band around the thighs or ankles to increase hip abductor demand, incorporating a crossover step pattern, placing cones or targets on the floor for the patient to step to, or increasing the pace of movement to challenge dynamic balance further.