Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Methodological Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
‘Methodological foundations of therapeutic exercise’ is a newly introduced subject in the new curriculum starting in the academic year 2024-25. Therapeutic exercise tries to integrate the performance of exercise, often not related to the profession of Physiotherapy, with the concept of therapy and, therefore, of pathology, injury and/or illness. Despite not being a ‘traditional’ subject in Physiotherapy degree curricula, the study of this concept leads us to relate it to ‘therapeutic gymnastics’, ‘active therapy’ and ‘rehabilitation exercise’, among other terms. The raison to introduce this subject within the Physiotherapy plan is due to the great increase of scientific works that lead us to consider exercise as one of the most contrasted methodologies to prevent and improve the health of people who have or may present some kind of affection.
The course is divided into a theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part aims to introduce the student to the knowledge of the bases that support the field of therapeutic exercise. With this intention, an introductory theme is developed, an analysis of the risk factors of suffering illnesses and injuries, and a tour of the different physical qualities that have a greater relevance in relation to health. This block ends with a thematic block dedicated to introducing students to the planning and programming of therapeutic exercise. This is followed by the practical content of the subject, where the different topics are developed, focusing on the methodology and the application of the work of the different physical qualities covered in the theoretical framework.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisites.
Syllabus
Topic 1. Background related to therapeutic exercise. Classifications of physical qualities.
Topic 2. Risk factors for injury. Assessments in the therapeutic process. Mechanical characteristics of tissues.
Topic 3. Neuromuscular control: objective of therapeutic exercise.
Topic 4. Strength as the basis of physical qualities.
Topic 5. Endurance of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems.
Topic 6. Range of motion.
Topic 7. Balance and reactivity.
Topic 8. Neuromuscular coordination.
Topic 9. Planning therapeutic exercise.
Topic 10. Practical application. 1. Strength training through analytical muscle actions as the origin of tissue adaptations from therapeutic exercise.
Application to the pelvic girdle muscles.
Application to the shoulder girdle muscles.
Application to the trunk muscles: origin of body stability.
Topic 11. Practical Application 2. Range of motion and its relationship to strength development. Working with muscle chains from the perspective of myofascial training.
Topic 12. Practical Application 3. Functional strength training: active stabilization as a fundamental objective.
Topic 13. Practical Application 4. Therapeutic training of balance and reaction capacity.
Focus on the early stages of combined work on balance and reaction capacity.
Involvement of the vestibular-visual-proprioceptive systems (VVP concept).
Introducing disturbances in balance training and reaction capacity.
Topic 14. Practical Application 5. Cardiovascular endurance training.
Focus on the early post-injury stages. Involvement of actions not directly related to the injury.
Practical application of the methodology for the different manifestations of cardiovascular and respiratory endurance.
Topic 15. Practical application 6. Neuromuscular control: progression in the early stages of post-injury and injury prevention.
Topic 16. Practical application 7. Introduction of neuromuscular coordination in a therapeutic process.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Punctuality at the start and end of classes is essential for the proper conduct of classes. Students must attend practical classes wearing appropriate attire: UIC tracksuits. They must also wear university shorts and a top (for women).
At the end of class, students must collaborate in restoring the proper order of the gymnasium: placing chairs, stools, cushions, rollers, mats, etc. We must keep in mind that the gymnasiums are shared spaces for the different undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, and other situations where they are required by the University.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Fully in-person classroom modality
First call:
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35% of the final grade: This will consist of different continuous assessment activities carried out throughout the course (both in theoretical and practical classes). There will be no minimum grade required in this section to average with the rest of the grades.
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65% of the final grade: During the exam week, a multiple-choice test will be administered, consisting of 50 questions with four possible answers and only one correct option. Each incorrect answer will deduct 0.33 points. A minimum score of 4.50 will be required in this exam to be averaged with the other grades.
To obtain Honours (Matrícula d’Honor), the minimum grade must be 9, and it will be awarded by the course professors based on participation and the student’s academic record.
Second call:
A single multiple-choice test will be administered, consisting of 50 questions with four possible answers and only one correct option. Each incorrect answer will deduct 0.33 points. A minimum score of 5.00 will be required to pass.
Grading scale:
0 – 4.9 Fail
5.0 – 6.9 Pass
7.0 – 8.9 Good
9.0 – 10 Excellent
Assessment period
E = exam date | 1 = first call | 2 = second call
E1: 28/01/2026 at 10:00
E2: 29/06/2026 at 8:00
The classroom where the exam will take place will be announced by email during the same week.
Evaluation period
- E1 28/01/2026 A12 10:00h
- E1 28/01/2026 A15 10:00h
- E2 29/06/2026 A16 08:00h