Next Step Training

Next Step Training (now available) is a personalized therapeutic exercise program that keeps you moving toward your fitness or athletic goals after discharge from therapy. A physical therapist or athletic trainer will develop your program and regularly review your progress. Programs—which incorporate flexibility, strength, and endurance training to maintain or elevate your level of fitness—are designed for you to complete on your own.

Program Benefits

Next Step Training can help recently discharged therapy patients continue to progress beyond their therapy goals. It’s an excellent exercise option for kids and young athletes who:

• have met their rehabilitation goals and want to continue a sport-specific exercise program
• need direction with a continued exercise plan in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• have disabilities and may be uncomfortable in a traditional gym environment
• need a structured environment to continue their rehabilitation exercises at home after discharge

Eligibility

Next Step Training is available to kids and teens ages 12 to 18. Participants must:

• be independently mobile (including use of wheelchair, crutches, or walkers)
• be capable of independent exercise as determined by a referring physical therapist
• have signed approval from their physician before the first visit
• have been through physical therapy within 2 months of beginning Next Step Training

Program Structure

• Exercise sessions take place in the outpatient therapy gym or the Center for Sports Medicine, located at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.
• Exercise sessions last approximately 1 hour.
• Participants may use the facility up to three times per week.
• Appointments are required and are available Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A physical therapist or athletic trainer will review each participant’s progress every 4 to 6 weeks and make recommendations or modifications. Most participants are ready to move into an independent program in 1 to 3 months.

Program Fees

The Next Step Training program is a health and wellness program, not formal “therapy.” So it is, therefore, an out-of-pocket expense. Insurance companies cannot be billed for Next Step Training. Fees are charged on a monthly basis and are payable in advance. Participants can sign up for 1 month, 2 months, or 3 months for the following fees*:

• 1 month (8 to 12 sessions): $65
• 2 months (16 to 24 sessions): $125
• 3 months (24 to 36 sessions): $175

*Fees as of August 1, 2010; fees subject to change.

Sign Up Today

For more information or to register, please contact:

• Erin McLaughlin, AT/C, at (302) 298-7278