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 directly beneath the track with adequate space to step out to each side without obstruction. Adjust the lanyard length to allow for the full downward movement of a side lunge while ensuring the system can engage immediately if balance is lost.
Starting Position: Have the patient stand tall with feet hip-width apart, core lightly engaged, and toes pointing forward. Instruct the patient to extend both arms straight out in front at chest height for counterbalance, or place hands on hips if preferred. Eyes should be focused on a fixed point straight ahead.
The Exercise:
- Cue the patient to take a wide step directly out to the side with the lead foot, landing with the foot flat on the floor and toes pointing forward.
- As the foot makes contact, instruct the patient to push the hips back and bend the stepping knee, lowering into the lunge. The stepping knee should track directly over the foot and should not extend past the toes.
- Keep the opposite leg straight and fully extended throughout the descent, with that foot remaining flat on the floor.
- Lower to the prescribed depth, keeping the chest up, the trunk upright, and the hips squared forward at all times.
- Pause briefly at the bottom of the movement to establish control.
- Drive through the heel of the stepping foot to push back up and return to the starting position.
- Complete the prescribed number of repetitions on one side before switching to the opposite leg, or alternate sides with each repetition as directed by the therapist.
Progressions: As strength and confidence improve, the therapist can advance the exercise by increasing the width of the step to deepen the lunge, adding a brief pause at the bottom of each repetition, incorporating light hand weights or a resistance band around the thighs, introducing a reaching task toward the stepping foot at the bottom of the movement, or combining the side lunge with a lateral step sequence to create a more dynamic and functionally demanding exercise.