| Ideally, the exercise program should be carried out at | | | | the active exercises. |
| least three times a week (daily if possible). The routine | | | | After the stretching period, whenever possible, a |
| should begin with eight to ten minutes of stretching | | | | twelve- to thirtyÂminute aerobic exercise program |
| exercises. For some patients this part of the program | | | | should begin. This may include walking, stationary |
| may be all that is feasible, and this time may be | | | | cycling, or other exercises of this type. In inclement |
| extended to include the entire exercise program. The | | | | weather, walking may be done inside the house or, in |
| stretching exercises might include the arms and | | | | this present day and age, at the nearest mall, where |
| shoulders, the hips, the knees, and the ankles. Side | | | | the temperature is usually in a satisfactory range. |
| bends, toe touches, sit-ups, leg lifts, and other familiar | | | | Milder forms of exercise may be all that can be done. |
| exercises are to be encouraged if possible. In the | | | | These might include extending and rotating the arms or |
| greatly incapacitated patient, the stretching exercises | | | | holding on to a chair and alter nately swinging one leg |
| can be performed for the patient by the caregiver in a | | | | and then the other. |
| passive fashion, although this is not as beneficial as are | | | | |