Movement quality from the experiences of physiotherapy students at a university in Medellín, 2025 Calidad del movimiento desde las experiencias de estudiantes de fisioterapia en una universidad en Medellín, 2025

Abstract

General Objective: To understand the phenomenon of movement quality as perceived by physical therapy students at a university in Medellín, Colombia, in the year 2025.

Methodology: Descriptive qualitative research with quantitative components and a phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 17 students over the age of 18 from the university's Physical Therapy program. A semi-structured interview was conducted, along with the BARS-MQE scale to assess movement quality.

Results: The perception of movement quality is oriented toward biomechanical and physiological dimensions related to the performance of physical abilities, including aspects such as effectiveness and precision, while leaving components related to subjective experience or sociocultural environment in the background. This reflects academic training where biomechanical and physiological aspects predominate, possibly influenced by the biomedical approach present in professional training.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need to integrate the phenomenon of movement quality from multiple dimensions: biomechanical, physiological, psychosocial, relational, and existential, as well as methodologies such as Basal Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT), which promotes connection with one's own body, facilitating the identification of bodily sensations and experiences. This requires conscious work on the part of the training professional to strengthen a more comprehensive practice consistent with the object of study of the profession.

Recommendations: There is an evident need to strengthen pedagogical strategies to balance the integration of the different dimensions of human movement, fostering a broader and deeper understanding of movement quality.