Knee Flexion

Strengthens muscles in back of thigh. Use ankle weights, if you are ready to. Stand straight, very close to a table or chair, holding it for balance. Take 3 seconds to bend your left knee so that your calf comes as far up toward the back of your thigh as possible. Don't move your upper leg at all; bend your knee only. Take 3 seconds to lower your left leg all the way back down. Repeat with right leg. Alternate legs until you have done 8 to 15 repetitions with each leg. Rest; then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.

Do knee flexion as part of your regularly scheduled strength exercises, and add these modifications as you progress: Hold table with one hand, then one fingertip, then no hands; then do exercise with eyes closed, if steady. Ankle weights can be worn in conjunction with this exercise.

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