Basics of physical therapy

lknr1202  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Basics of physical therapy
The version you’re consulting is not final. This course description may change. The final version will be published on 1st June.
6.00 credits
30.0 h + 67.5 h
Q1
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
For theoretical courses:
  • Tissue patho-biological mechanisms
  • The muscle – the tendon (Strength / Endurance / Power / hypertrophy)
  1. Biophysics
  2. Evaluation (laboratory and clinical)
  3. Clinical application (exercise/stretching prescription)
  • The joint (cartilage / ligament / capsule)
  1. Biophysics
  2. Evaluation (laboratory and clinical)
  3. Clinical application (active/passive mobilization)
  • Nervous structures
  1. Biophysics
  2. Evaluation (laboratory and clinical)
  3. Clinical application
  • Motion control
  • CIF model applied to basic physiotherapy techniques
  • Principles of clinical functional assessment

For practical lessons:
The following themes will be covered by region of the body: upper limbs, lower limbs and spine.
  • Evaluate, passively and actively, the main movements of the main joints
  1. Qualitative assessment
  2. Quantitative evaluation
  • Assessment of neuromuscular function of the main muscle groups (maximum strength, endurance, power, hypertrophy, etc.)
  • Mobility work (passive/active mobilization)
  • Work on neuromuscular function (exercise prescription)
  • Muscle relaxation work (massage – myofascial approaches)
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

At the end of this teaching unit, specifically for patients (adults and elderly people) suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder, the student is able to:
  • Explain the patho-biological mechanisms of muscular, tendon, joint and neural tissue (2.1)
  • Describe the basic principles of technical acts, exercises and advice to patients (3.1, 3.2)
  • Describe the basic principles of musculoskeletal assessment in the laboratory and in clinical practice (2.3)
  • Describe recommendations for therapeutic interventions (3.1, 3.3)
  • Carry out a clinical assessment of the musculoskeletal system using the appropriate tools and interpret the results (2.3)
  • Carry out technical acts, prescribe and demonstrate exercises rigorously, justifying them (3.1)
  • Describe the basic principles of assessment and treatment adaptation (3.2, 3.3)
  • Evaluate/adapt/stop an intervention (3.2)
  • Become aware of the effect of touch and develop your palpation skills (4.3)
  • Explain and justify movements/technical gestures/exercises to one of your peers in simulated cases (5.4)
  • Extract relevant information from a clinical vignette (7.2)
 
Other information
This course is strictly reserved for FSM students. It is not open to other UCLouvain students.
Faculty or entity
> FSM


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Motor Skills: Physical Education
EDPH2M
6
Bachelor in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
KINE1BA
6
LFSM1102 AND LFSM1003 AND LFSM1105 AND LFSM1109