CRAWLING EXERCISE

Dr. Hiral Katakia

MPT(Neuro)
 INTRODUCTION
• These exercises were developed professor “Clapp”.
• They are given mainly for mobilization of trunk and
other benefits.
• It may improve co-ordination of movements and
also endurance of muscles.
• When respiration is co-ordinated with crawling
exercises it also improves efficiency of trunk
muscles.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• Dog’s Crawl
• Low Dog Crawl
• Arm Stretch Crawl
• Low ‘s’ Crawl
 TYPES OF CRAWL
1. Dog’s Crawl:
• Starting position: Prone kneeling
• Technique: from prone kneeling whole spine is bent
laterally by moving opposite hand & knee forwards.
• The head is side flexed in the direction of forward
knee & the hip joint on this side is medially rotated,
so the lower leg projects sideways.
• The lateral bending is then reversed by moving
opposite hand & knee forward.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• Movement on one side can be produced by
returning to starting position on alternate
movement in which pt moves in a circle bending
towards the center of the circle.
• Use: It is used for management of “C” shape
scoliosis pts.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
2. Low Dog Crawl:
• Starting position: inclined prone kneeling
• Technique: The starting position is taken with the
thighs vertical & the arms abducted in the line with
the shoulders & flexed at the elbows so that the
hands rest directly beneath the elbow.
• The chest is pressed to the ground extended & heal
well lifted. One knee is moved forward & spine is
bent to this side by lifting both the hands round the
upper arm & shoulders being kept in the line.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• The head is bent side ways as dog crawl.
• Progression is made by other knee forward &
swinging round forwards if or by return to the
starting position.
• It may be laid on smooth rhythmical movement on
keeping the chest wall pressed on floor throughout.
• This exercise is more difficult then dog’s crawl.
• Use: its used for Mx of “C” shaped scoliosis pts who
also have kyphotic deformity in thoracic spine.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
3. Arm Stretch Crawl:
• Starting position: stretch stoop kneeling
• Technique: the chest is well pressed to the ground
& the thighs remain nearly vertical throughout the
movement. The pt moves forwards by small steps
with the knees sliding the hands forwards along the
ground.
• Use: this crawl is used to increase extension at
thoracic spine & strengthen the upper trunk ms. It
is used for mx of kyphosis.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
4. Leg Lift Crawl:
• Starting position: inclined prone kneeling
• Technique: the starting position is similar to low
dog’s crawl but the effect of this exercise is the arm
stretch crawl or even stronger than that.
• One knee is more forward, the arms are more
forwards from the shoulders.
• The other leg is lifted in line with trunk as the trunk
moves forwards & downwards to bring the
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• Shoulder into the line with the lower limbs.
• The position is held for a movement & then the leg
is lowered, knee is bent & brought forward.
• Use: this position is used for Mx of scoliosis of
lumbar spine & kyphosis of thoracic spine.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
5. Low “S” Crawl:
• Starting position: inclined prone kneeling
• Technique: from the starting position the arm on
side of concavity on the thoracic curve is stretched
forwards & leg on the side of lumbar concavity is
stretched backward.
• The thigh of the supporting limb remains vertical
throughout as pt attempts to stretch the arm & leg
as far from each other as possible.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• The extended knee is bent & moves forwards as the
opposite arm returns to the starting position.
• Then extended knee is bent & moves forwards as
the opposite arm returns to the starting position.
• Then a short step forwards is taken & the
movement is then repeated.
• Use: this is straighten the spine in case of “s”
shaped scoliosis by strong contraction of the
muscles on the convex side of the curve or by
stretching the muscles of concave side.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• All the different crawl may be performed with
music & rhythms.
• Manual resistance can be given around the
shoulder & knees depending on the movement to
be strengthen.
• Felt pad may be used to protect knees from undue
pressure.
• When the balance & stability have been gained in
prone kneeling pt can begin to practice lifting the
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• Hand or knees from the floor to balance on legs.
• This makes it possible for the crawling movement
to take place in any chosen direction as the weight
free limb can be lifted & replaced in a new position
before taking weight once more.
• The sequence of limb movement & support should
be allowed to develop naturally whenever possible
as precise instructions as to where & which limb
should be moved often confuse the pt.
 TYPES OF CRAWL
• During practice rest period can be given with
activity by sitting to one side or the other in side
sitting position.
BENEFITS OF CRAWLING EXERCISE
• Crawling exercises build up coordination of the
whole body including reciprocal movements of
limbs & legs as required in walking.
• The direction of crawl i.e. forwards or backward or
sideways determines the distribution & emphasis
of the neuromuscular activity employed.
• Because the spine is weight free in horizontal
position the potential ROM in this joint is increased
this activity is useful for mobilization & for learning
control of excessive mobility.
BENEFITS OF CRAWLING EXERCISE
• Crawling provides safe & effective method of
moving from one place to another for those who
have very poor balance in an erect position & those
who are not too strong to use the floor not only to
achieve their purpose in moving but do so
independently.
14-07-2019 CRAWLING EXERCISES 18
 REFERENCE
• Practical exercise therapy 4th edition Margaret
Hollis.