This document describes various mat activities (MAT) used in physical therapy. It discusses 9 principles of MAT including concentration, control, fluidity, etc. It then describes different MAT positions and exercises including rolling, prone on elbows, prone on hands, supine on elbows, pull ups, lifting, quadruped position, kneeling, and sitting. The goals of MAT are to facilitate balance, promote stability, mobilize and strengthen the trunk and limbs, and train for functional activities. Details are provided on how to perform several example MAT exercises and positions.

1. MAT ACTIVITIES
BY: AKASH JAINTH
MPT

2. • The MAT program involves the patient in activities
incorporating both movements and stability.
• The range from single movements to complex
combinations requiring both stabilization and
motions.
• The activities are done in different positions for
function and to vary the effects of reflexes or
gravity.
MAT ACTIVITIES

3. There are basically 9 principles:
• CONCENTRATION
• CONTROL
• FLUIDITY
• CENTER
• PRECISION
• BREATH
• IMAGINATION
• INTUTION
• INTEGRATION
Principles

4. • CONCENTRATION: The mind wills the body to
perform. Paying attention to your movements and
how your muscles respond.
• CONTROL: requires muscle control to guard against
injury and benefit from full affects of the move.
• CENTER:every movement comes from the
powerhouse. each exercise you need to be centered.

5. • FLUIDITY: each exercise is intended to be executed
with flow and grace, not rigid. No static or isolated
movement.
• PRECISION: each movement has a purpose. Each
repetition of movement is of high quality.
• BREATH: breath is slowly in through the nose and out
through the mouth. Holding your breath causes
tension. Inhaling and exhaling promote purification
and oxygenation of the lungs and bloodstream.

6. • IMAGINATION: visualizing the movements.
• INTUTION :be knowledgeable of your body. trust what
feels right and stop if you feel pain. Don't force
yourself into a position.
• INTEGRATION: move the body as a whole. Each
exercise employs all of your muscles. When you
isolate muscles you create an unbalanced body.

7. • Facilitate balance
• Promote stability
• Mobilize and strengthen the trunk and limb.
• Train for functional activities
Mat activities are given to:

8. 1) Patient lies in supine position.
2) Patient flexes his head, neck and right shoulder.
3) Right arm is moved towards left side to create
momentum.
4) The momentum of arm is transferred to trunk and
lower limb.
5) The lower half of body will be rolled to prone position.
Flexion of hip and knee will facilitate the roll.
6) Patient takes his right shoulder at the back side by
putting weight on left forearm and thus, weight is
distributed on both upper limb.
7) Patient lies prone.
ROLLING

10. 1) Patient lies prone and places his elbows close to
trunk.
2) Elbows are pushed down while lifting head and
upper trunk.
3) Now, patient brings the elbow to the level of
shoulder and body weight is shifted through
elbows.
PRONE ON ELBOWS

12. • his position is given to paraplegic patient because it
requires strong pectoralis major and deltoid
muscles. However, this activity is not appropriate to
all paraplegics as excessive lordosis is produced.
Prone on hand position is required to gain postural
alignment during standing, ambulation and
standing from floor with use of orthosis
and crutches.
• Position of hands in this position is same as
standard push up position except that arms are
laterally rotated.
PRONE ON HANDS

14. • This position is an important strengthening exercise
for shoulder extensors and scapular adductors. The
purpose of this position is to prepare patient for
long sitting position. This position is assumed
according to the comfort and disability of patient.
• This position is achieved either from side lying
position or by pushing the elbow over mat and
lifting into this position. The later technique
requires a strong abdominal muscle.
SUPINE ON ELBOW

16. • This kind of mat activities is given in quadriplegics to
strengthen their biceps and shoulder flexors, which
may be required for wheel chair propulsion.
Action:
1) Patient lies supine.
2) Therapist stands over the patient in high kneeling
position.
3) Lower limb of therapist is near the hips of patient.
4) Patient holds the forearm of therapist and pulls
himself to sitting position and then lowers down.
PULL UPS

18. • Lifting is done to relieve continuous pressure over
body part. Lifting from sitting position requires a
great balance in sitting position.
Action:
• 1) Patient sits in long sitting position.
• 2) Hands are placed on mat with elbows extended
• 3) Patient pushes down the hands, depresses
shoulder and lifts the buttocks off the ground.
LIFTING

20. 1) Patient in long sitting.
2) Body weight is bore through hands with extended
elbows by rotating the trunk.
3) Now, from the side sitting position patient moves
into quadruped position by shifting weight over
hands.
4) Position is achieved by available trunk strength
and momentum from head and shoulders.
QUADRUPED POSITION

22. • Patient moves the hand backward towards knees in
prone kneeling position.
• Knees are further flexed.
• Pelvis is dropped towards heel.
• Patient sits on heel.
• Patient supports his upper limb on therapist’s
shoulder.
• By thrusting with his upper limb and extending his
neck and hips, patient rises himself to kneeling
position.
KNEELING

24. • Sitting position are important for various activities
in daily life such as ADL, transfer, dressing, wheel
chair mobility etc. Sitting is achieved easily by
paraplegics, but it is ac difficult job for
quadriplegics.
• Stability in sitting position for quadriplegics is
achieved by weight bearing through hands with
flexed fingers, extended wrist, extended elbow and
hyper extended and externally rotated shoulder.
SITTING

25. 1) Patient lies in supine position.
2) Patient turn the upper trunk to left side moving
the right arm toward left side of body along with
head and neck flexion.
3) Both elbows are brought nearer to trunk
alternately.
4) Patient learns over left elbow and extends the
right arm behind the body.
5) Left elbow is extended by leaning over right arm.
6) Both hands are brought forward alternately to
achieve sitting position.