What does functional training entail in the context of kinesiotherapy?

Functional training in the context of kinesiotherapy is centered on exercises specifically designed to enhance the performance of daily activities. This approach emphasizes movement patterns that individuals use in their everyday life, targeting strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. By integrating these components into a training regimen, kinesiotherapists help clients improve their functional capabilities, making common tasks easier and safer, which is essential for overall quality of life.

The focus is on exercises that mimic real-life movements, which can lead to better outcomes in terms of mobility and independence. This type of training is particularly beneficial for populations such as older adults, individuals recovering from injury, or those with chronic health issues, as it prepares them to safely engage in their daily routines.

In contrast, exercises aimed purely at aerobic fitness concentrate primarily on cardiovascular health without necessarily improving the functional movement patterns used daily. Similarly, exercises focused solely on muscle hypertrophy emphasize muscle growth without attention to the functional application of that strength in everyday tasks. Lastly, exercises that are deemed fun yet impractical may not provide the functional benefits necessary for improving daily life activities, which is the key objective of functional training.