What is Bilateral Coordination?
- Bilateral Coordination: using two sides of your body together for movement.
- Examples: walking, jumping, riding a bike, swimming, catching a ball with two hands, pulling your socks up, writing, cutting with scissors, washing dishes, cutting in the kitchen, buttoning a shirt, carrying and placing objects, etc.
The importance of Bilateral Coordination post stroke
- Typically one side of the brain is more affected than the other.
- Continuing to use the affected side post stroke helps send signals to your brain that your limbs are still there and still working.
- Moving increases blood flow to the brain.
- Bilateral movements can send signals to both sides of the brain which can increase brain activity.
- Bilateral movements get both sides of the brain communicating which is essential when one side is more affected than the other.
Bilateral activities you can do
- Wheelchair/seated mobility:
- Seated exercises similar to the morning muscle moves stretches.
- LSVT protocol
- Focuses on big, bilateral movements to improve overall motor coordination and movement.
- Going for walks
- Cutting
- Handwriting
- Practicing buttoning your shirt
- Playing card games
- Jumping jacks
- Playing catch
- Engaging in bilateral coordination can improve your ability to perform fine motor tasks and gross motor tasks.
The goal of the American Stroke Foundation is to help stroke survivors continue improving and regaining independence in daily living skills, and to support stroke survivors and their families through their ongoing journey of “life after stroke.”Â
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