1. Active: bodily exertion for the sake of restoring the organs and functions to a healthy state or keeping them healthy. 2. Passive: motion of limbs without effort by the patient.
- isometric e. e. consisting of muscular contractions without movement of the involved parts of the body.
- Kegel exercises alternate contraction and relaxation of perineal muscles for treatment of urinary stress incontinence.
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ex·er·cise 'ek-sər-.sīz n
1) regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ
2) bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness
1) to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop (as a muscle)
2) to put through exercises vi to take exercise
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n.
any activity resulting in physical exertion that is intended to maintain physical fitness, to condition the body, or to correct a physical deformity. Exercises may be done actively by the person or passively by a therapist. Aerobic exercises are intended to increase oxygen consumption (as in running) and to benefit the lungs and cardiovascular system, in contrast to isometric exercises. In isotonic exercises, the muscles contract and there is movement, but the force remains the same; this improves joint mobility and muscle strength.
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ex·er·cise (ekґsər-sīz) the performance of physical exertion for improvement of health or the correction of physical deformity.Medical dictionary. 2011.