Musculoskeletal System
Simulation No. 1 - Musculoskeletal System - OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis (OA), is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of joint pain, stiffness, and disability in older adults.
It occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints gradually wears down, leading to discomfort, instability, and reduced mobility. Its progression is influenced by factors such as aging, obesity, past injuries, and genetics. As the cartilage wears down, bones begin to rub together, making movement painful and restricting daily activities.
This simulation will give you a firsthand experience of the stiffness, discomfort, and limited motion that individuals with OA face daily.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 3 minutes.
Full Simulation Guide
Materials
● 1 Can of Dried Beans (Alternatives: kernels, pebbles)
● 1 Pair of Shoes
● 1 Chair
● 1 Pill bottle (alternatives: jar, lidded bottle)
● 1 Piece of Paper (alternatives: computer with keyboard)
● 1 Pen (alternatives: pencil, marker, crayon)
Procedure
- While seated on a chair, add the beans or any alternatives inside your shoes.
- Next, get up from the chair.
- Then, proceed to walk around.
- Next, grab a roll of tape and tape all the joints of your fingers, preventing them from bending.
- With the taped joints try opening any pill bottle or screw top lid.
- As a step further, try removing and sorting the pills in the bottle.
- With the taped fingers, grab a piece of paper and a pencil.
- Try to write a letter to a loved one.
- Lastly, with both the beans in your shoes and taped fingers, try grabbing something from the top shelf or surface in your house.
Reflection Questions
- How did you feel while completing any of the tasks? Did you feel frustrated? If yes, why do you think you felt that way?
- Did you find yourself adapting movements to compensate for discomfort or stiffness?
- If you had to live with this condition permanently, how do you think it would affect your independence and confidence?
- How has this experience changed your perspective on people living with osteoarthritis?
Testimonials
Simulation No. 2 - Muscoskeletal System - SO MUCH TO DO, AND SO LITTLE ENERGY
The most common age-related changes in the muscular system are: reduced muscle strength, decreased muscle mass, increased muscle weakness, and reduced muscle size.(1) The loss of muscle mass and contractile force often experienced by older adults is called sarcopenia, resulting in muscles becoming weak and easily tired. These age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system can greatly impact an older adult’s functioning and lead to difficulties when performing activities of daily living.
This simulation has two activities that will help you understand the challenges of sarcopenia, in particular muscle weakness and restricted motion in the leg and arm muscles. You will place various forms of resistance on your body to simulate joint stiffness and muscle weakness. This will increase your awareness of what it feels like to experience fatigue and difficulty moving, which older adults face daily. Your new understanding will build your sense of empathy toward the aging population.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
Full Simulation Guide
Materials
- Backpack
- 2 grocery bags
- Heavy objects (i.e., books, cans, water bottles) to make about 10 percent
- Your body weight (e.g., 110-pound person should take 11 pounds of weight, 155-pound person should take 15 pounds of weight)
- Various grocery items from pantry (about 8 items)
- Resistance band. If you do not have a resistance band, use stretchy yoga pants.
- 1 chair
- Stairs or a stepping stool
- Elevated surface such as a cupboard or a shelf
Procedure
- Complete the precursor simualtions if you have not already done so.
- Gather all the materials at the bottom of the stairs or near a stepping stool.
- Sit on a chair, and tie a resistance band around your thighs, just above the knee.
- Place heavy objects into the backpack and put it on.
- Do 10-15 deep squats to fatigue leg muscles.
- Then, walk up the stairs slowly OR do 10 step-ups on each leg using the stepping stool to mimic walking up stairs.
- Sit on the chair. Keep resistance band and backpack on.
- Get up, walk to the entrance door (as when an older person answers the door), turn around and sit back on the chair. Get up, walk to the washroom and back, sit down. Get up again and walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water, return and sit down. This is the end of the first activity.
- Take off resistance band from above knees. Keep the heavy backpack on.
- Divide the grocery items evenly into the 2 grocery bags (4 items per bag).
- Hold one bag in each hand. Lift your arms 10 times straight out in front of you while holding the grocery bags. Place the grocery bags on the floor.
- Tie the resistance band/yoga pants in a loop, step in and hold it between your inner thigh and elbow on the right side of your body.
- Pick up the grocery bags again.
- Walk to the elevated surface above shoulder height (i.e., cupboard or a bookshelf).
- Pick the groceries out of the bags one by one and place them onto the elevated surface.
Reflection Questions
- With all the various types of restriction on the joints and fatigue of the muscles, how did this simulation impact your ability to perform daily activities? How did this make you feel?
- In what way did this simulation experience change your opinions about the older adults’ ability to move or carry things we use in everyday life?
- What are some preventative measures you may consider implementing into your life to prevent sarcopenia as you grow older?
