Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Fundamentals of Nursing

Introduction

Fundamentals of NursingIntroduction
People in chairs practicing yoga
Figure 22.1 Activity, movement, and the capacity to care for oneself help determine a person’s functional ability. Activity and movement of any kind is beneficial, including chair yoga that incorporates gentle movements, stretches, and breathing exercises to promote flexibility, strength, and relaxation. (credit: “Yoga @ Wylam” by Birmingham Public Library/Flickr, CCBY 2.0)

Chapter Outline

22.1 Importance of Activity, Movement, and Alignment
22.2 Factors Affecting Activity Level
22.3 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

What does the ability to brush your hair and get dressed have to do with the ability of human beings to move, maintain their bodily position, and be physically active? Consider the following scenario. Martina is a 75-year-old Latina female. She cared for her family and worked full time in an office job her whole life. Martina struggled with arthritis in her joints but tried not to let it bother her and did not seek treatment. She did not have time or motivation to exercise and always thought she would start after she retired. After retirement at age 65, Martina spent much time caring for her grandchildren and still did not take time to exercise. Her arthritis worsened, and she moved less and went out less often. After a stroke when she was 70, Martina could not use the right side of her body, the dominant side, for several months; she never regained full use of her right upper body. She also never fully recovered the ability to walk steadily. After several falls, she began using a wheelchair. Now she relies on home healthcare workers to assist her with activities of daily living, such as grooming and dressing.

Martina’s story is not an uncommon one. Through no fault of their own, most people do not realize the complex relationship between their bodies, physical activity, and their ability to perform the essential tasks of daily living. For nurses, however, it is critical to understand all these aspects to provide high-quality education, care, and patient advocacy. This chapter explores these related issues.

PreviousNext
Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Aug 20, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.