Carioca exercise

Carioca exercise is a rehabilitation exercise before return to sport, for example after cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Page updated March 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

 

How do you perform a carioca drill?

Carioca walking drills are like sideways crab-walks so you need reasonable space. In one long fluid movement you move sideways, first with one leg in front, moving back to alignment, and then with one leg at the back, and moving back to alignment. When you reach the end of the space, you come back again. The exercise should resemble a dance.

 

  • Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

    "Controlled testing of limbs can be performed by using shuffling, and carioca drills to determine readiness to advance loading."

    Citation: Davies G, Riemann BL, Manske R. CURRENT CONCEPTS OF PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Nov;10(6):760-86. PMID: 26618058; PMCID: PMC4637913.

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Are carioca drills plyometric exercises?

Carioca drills fit the description of plyometric exercises - short, fast and explosive.

 

  • Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

    "Plyometric exercise has become an integral component of late phase rehabilitation as the patient nears return to activity....[and assists]....in the development of power, a foundation from which the athlete can refine the skills of their sport"

    Citation: Davies G, Riemann BL, Manske R. CURRENT CONCEPTS OF PLYOMETRIC EXERCISE. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Nov;10(6):760-86. PMID: 26618058; PMCID: PMC4637913.

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What muscles are benefitted by the carioca exercise?

The carioca exercise is a work-out for the glutes muscles of the buttock, and the hip and knee flexors.

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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...

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