The Importance of Sit-to-Stand Movement in Rehabilitation

For bariatric and older patients recovering from surgery, illness, or bariatric-related conditions, regaining the ability to move safely from sitting to standing is one of the most critical steps in rehabilitation. Occupational and physical therapists would do well to emphasize sit-to-stand exercises in their rehab regimens for their bariatric and older patients, and this is especially helpful for older adults.

Regaining mobility is among the most important achievements at long-term care and acute rehabilitation facilities, as well as at inpatient rehabilitation centers, for patients who are recovering from surgery or from the effects of an accident. It is especially critical for older adults because it enables them to perform daily activities, maintain social engagement, reduce the risk of falls, and improve overall quality of life and mental well-being. The lack of mobility can lead to poor situations, such as decreased independence, higher rates of illness and hospitalization, and can make it difficult to continue living at home.

Sit-to-stand is important in rehabilitation as it significantly improves functional independence for activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting up from a chair or off the toilet.

Although walking is a major milestone for some patients in rehab, it is important to remember that standing is a prerequisite for walking. Despite conventional wisdom in physical therapy that walking is the overarching goal in rehab for patients who are in long-term care and skilled nursing environments, therapists actually need to prioritize the sit-to-stand movement so the muscles used in this exercise enable a patient to walk and achieve universal mobility. This is what makes sit-to-stand crucial – as the first and paramount exercise, as it is the most important skill that paves the way for all mobility. 

Reasons that Sit-to-Stand Movement is Foundational and a Priority in Rehab Therapy

Sit-to-stand is a vital movement in rehabilitation because it improves fundamental strength, balance, and confidence. These are important precursors to more complex movements such as walking. Achieving sit-to-stand for older patients, or those recovering from joint replacements, strokes, or extended immobility, is critical for independent living tasks, making it a prioritized goal in the early stages of rehabilitation.

Here are some of the main reasons why emphasizing sit-to-stand exercises with bariatric and aging populations should be a priority in all rehab treatment plans.

Improves ADL Performance
A patient must be able to transition from sitting to standing early on in their rehab regimen, as it is fundamental for everyday tasks. It is a pivotal objective in being independent after an injury or surgery. 

Improves Digestion
As patients are able to stand, it improves their digestion because gravity helps to move bowel through the intestinal track, which makes it easier to have a bowel movement. Therefore, being able to do sit-to-stand will result in a healthy digestive system. 

Improves Bone Density
The sit-to-stand and walking activities help to maintain the needed bone density to avoid a broken bone or hip from a fall. This is especially the case for the elderly, who naturally have a more fragile bone structure. 

Builds Lower Body Strength
Sit-to-stand movement improves the strength in the thigh muscles, which include the hamstrings and quadriceps, as well as the hips and glutes. These muscles are necessary for standing up and controlling the descent into a seating position. 

Necessary Skill for Walking
Standing up is a necessary step before walking, which makes sit-to-stand movement essential in rehabilitation for restoring mobility. 

Enhances Core Stability
By working on a sit-to-stand exercise in rehab therapy, you are making it possible for a patient to maintain stability during various movements, such as walking or shifting weight.

Effects of Not Having Sit-to-Stand Ability

When you no longer have the ability to transition from sitting to standing, it can drastically change your life in many negative ways. For example, this severe limitation significantly impacts independence and increases fall risk. The sit-to-stand ability involves numerous muscle groups necessary for daily functioning.

The loss of the ability to sit-to-stand means the patient experiences a decline in muscle power and strength, making standing up much harder. This could possibly lead to institutionalization or decreased social participation. 

Impacts of Losing STS (Sit-to-Stand) Ability

Increased Risk of Falls:  If a patient cannot handle STS transfers, they become vulnerable to falls. This is especially dangerous for older adults, and this can lead to serious injuries or even loss of life

Reduced Mobility:  When you can’t transition from sitting to standing, those muscles used in this movement become much weaker, particularly the legs, hips, and core. This can make daily activities much more difficult.

Impaired Balance:  Poor STS performance can lead to poor balance, which puts a patient at more risk for falls.

Reduced Independence:  Being able to get out of a chair is a fundamental skill that allows for performing daily, routine activities and maintaining autonomy. The inability to transition from sitting to standing can significantly limit autonomy.

Reduced Social Participation:  Having difficulty with STS transfers can make people less likely to go anywhere. This causes social isolation and decreased participation in community activities. 

Importance of Sit-to-Stand Training 

Sit-to-stand training is essential for maintaining independence, especially for older adults. People recovering from injury and surgery also want to take all necessary measures to keep their autonomy.

This training involves strengthening key muscle groups, improving balance, and helping decrease the likelihood of falls. Therapists who focus on sit-to-stand training will help restore overall functional health to their patients who experience limited mobility due to age, weight, injury, or illness. 

Benefits of Sit-to-Stand Training

 

1. Improves Balance and Stability
   By practicing sit-to-stand exercises, you will be enhancing the coordination and balance of your patient, which is vital for preventing falls.
2. Strengthens Key Muscles
   Sit-to-stand exercises target the major muscles that a patient uses regularly, and they include the following:Core – Abdominals and back muscles for stability and posture.

   Calves – For ankle stabilization during the movement.

   Thighs – Quadricipes and hamstrings to extend and flex the knee.
   
   Glutes – For pushing the body upward and hip extension.

3. Increases Mobility
   Sit-to-stand training makes it easier to perform daily activities such as getting out of bed, a car, or the toilet.
   Mobility is enhanced from this exercise by strengthening the lower body and improving joint flexibility. Ultimately, sit-to-stand training will also allow the patient to walk.
4. Supports Rehabilitation
   Sit-to-stand training is a primary exercise in physical therapy for bariatric patients who are recovering from a surgery like a knee or hip replacement.
   This exercise helps post-injury individuals on a path to recovery in these circumstances to regain strength and functional movement.
5. Decreases Fall Risk
   Sit-to-stand training, which provides stability, strength, and balance, is a highly effective strategy for preventing falls, especially for the elderly and others who face mobility challenges.
6. Increases Independence
   It increases the autonomy for patients recovering from injury, surgery, or conditions causing limited mobility when they are able to perform a sit-to-stand movement without assistance. 

     Sit-to-Stand training is also known to improve bone density, digestion, and general health. 

Sit-to-Stand Capability Leads to Better Quality of Life

Being able to maintain the ability to perform sit-to-stand movements is vital for being independent and enhancing quality of life. While walking is a laudable goal in occupational and physical therapy, the most fundamental requirement is being able to perform sit-to-stand exercises successfully.

Having a patient perform sit-to-stand without assistance is fundamental to being able to achieve independence and regain full mobility. Lacking this basic ability creates obstacles to a successful rehab recovery. 

Therapists look to S2S Standing Frame and SSG Trainer for Successful Sit-to-Stand Training for Their Patients

When it comes to enabling bariatric and older patients to successfully engage in sit-to-stand exercises, occupational and physical therapists rely on the S2S Standing Frame™ and SSG Trainer from Therapeutic Industries. These two user-friendly and pioneering pieces of equipment allow for optimal benefits from the sit-to-stand exercise in rehab therapy.

The S2S offers a built-in electronic seat lift for sit-to-stand exercises, and combines the essential support of a traditional standing frame with the added functionality of a sit-to-stand lift.  It also includes back support and a leg lift to aid in smooth transitions. Meanwhile, the SSG Trainer is a physical therapy equipment that is designed to improve sit-to-stand, as well as standing balance, and gait activities. The trainer is ideally suited for therapeutic settings where efficient use of space and equipment versatility are paramount.

These two pieces of Barihab™ rehab equipment allow for comprehensive treatment plans that improve patient outcomes, leading to faster recoveries and shorter lengths of stay.