Course Instructor

John Wilson, DPT, MA, CSCS, earned his Masters degree in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University in 1998. He has been an exercise physiologist for the past 15 years, earning a Masters degree in Applied Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University in 1993. John completed his Advanced Post Professional Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Western University of Health Sciences in 2005. Dr. Wilson also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Early in his career John focused on outpatient orthopedics and performance training. He spent two years as a research assistant at The Kasch Exercise Physiology Laboratory conducting performance testing/training of professional athletes (including the San Diego Chargers of the NFL) and exercise prescription of seniors in a community wellness program. His research at the lab with cyclists was subsequently published entitled Thermoregulatory Effects of Cycling in a Hyperconvective Environment. Though still active working with athletes, Johns emphasis the past decade has focused on geriatric orthopedics. Working with geriatrics in the LTC/SNF and outpatient setting has been rewarding. John spent 2005-06 providing internal geriatric strength training courses nationally, and was co-author of orthopedic training manuals for a national provider of skilled therapy.

His current working environment is as an Outcomes Manager for a large medical system. He utilizes outcomes research, evidence-based practice and professional experience to ensure efficient and effective outcomes for rehabilitation patients. Utilizing dynamic movement analyses, progressive resistive strength training, manual therapy and prescribed corrective exercises; Dr. Wilson has brought his performance approach to the geriatric population.

Geriatric Strengthening and Movement Re-education for Mobility

Geriatric Strength Training and Movement Re-education for Mobility is a two-day interactive seminar designed to enhance the ability of clinicians to treat older patients with various disease processes in improving mobility, including gait. The medical complexity of the typical geriatric patient can complicate the rehabilitation process. Regardless of diagnoses, a common deficit seen in all geriatric patients is weakness that can be linked to functional decline. Muscular weakness can be successfully treated with specific prescribed exercises. The participant will leave this course with progressive, safe, and a thorough understanding of evidence-based approaches to optimal functional strength building and mobility improvement for geriatrics.

Traditionally, rehabilitation has focused on isolating and training muscles using single planes of motion. Muscles and joints do not work in isolation. We know that functional activities like transfers and gait are triplanar and require acceleration, deceleration, and dynamic stabilization. This course will emphasize training movements, not muscles. Participants will develop an evaluation process and learn tests that allow assessment of kinetic chain movement patterns to detect quality of movement and neuromuscular efficiency. One such test, named the Overhead Squat Test, assesses the closed kinetic chain mobility and stability of patients ankles, knees, hips, core, thorax and shoulders during a fundamental movement pattern. Mobility and gait also utilize basic fundamental movement patterns that will be assessed/corrected. Based on movement pattern findings and applying neuromuscular physiology, the participant will learn to inhibit and lengthen specific overactive muscles, facilitate under active muscles and prescribe corrective exercises utilizing evidence-based, optimal strength training parameters. Attendance at this course will immediately increase clinical skill in obtaining positive functional outcomes in an efficient manner in all settings of geriatric practice.

Category: Geriatric strengthening course, physical therapy continuing education course, occupational therapy continuing education course


  • Discuss evidence-based practice including the classic studies regarding geriatric strength training and how they relate to the population we treat.
  • Identify and discuss optimal resistance training parameters such as progressive resistive exercises, intensity, frequency, sets, and repetitions.
  • Correlate strength (underlying) impairment to functional deficits and converse with therapy team regarding functional strengthening as it relates to goal achievement.
  • Describe the scientific and clinical rationale behind the development of an exercise program for the treatment of mobility in the geriatric population.
  • Perform functional movement assessments such as the overhead squat test, mobility and gait to identify weaknesses in the kinetic chain.
  • Prescribe corrective exercises to treat functional deficits in mobility.
  • Properly utilize functional strength tests like bridging, SLR, Trendelenburg, and upright motor control test.
  • Understand how to utilize neuromuscular inhibition and facilitation techniques and how to sequence them in therapy prescriptions for maximum functional outcomes.
  • Identify movement training principles and how to activate movement/motor patterns.


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    Geriatric Strengthening and Movement Re-education for Mobility



    Start DateEnd DateLocation - **Click to Map It**TuitionHrsHotelRegister
    Feb 25, 12Feb 26, 12Huntington Hospital

    Pasadena, CA

    		$399.0015.00View HotelsRegister
    Mar 03, 12Mar 04, 12Providence Health and Home Services

    Renton, WA

    		$399.0015.00View HotelsRegister
    Jun 02, 12Jun 03, 12UHS-Summerlin Hospital

    Las Vegas, NV

    		$399.0015.00View HotelsRegister
    Aug 25, 12Aug 26, 12Legacy Emanuel Medical Center

    Portland, OR

    		$399.0015.00View HotelsRegister
    Dec 01, 12Dec 02, 12Palomar Pomerado Health/Palomar Medical Center

    Escondido, CA

    		$399.0015.00View HotelsRegister

    All courses are pre-approved by the state licensing boards for physical therapist and occupational therapist license renewal in the state the course is offered. For additional inquiry regarding approval in a particular state contact us


    North American Seminars Inc. 1-800-300-5512 - physical therapy continuing education courses and occupational therapy continuing education courses

    The medical content of this page was contributed by John Wilson, DPT, MA, CSCS. This page was updated on January 24 2012

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