APE APE Disability-Specific Knowledge & Conditions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with Down syndrome is cleared for physical activity. Which precaution should the APE specialist be MOST aware of?
- Increased risk of heat stroke due to thyroid issues
- Atlantoaxial instability requiring restriction of cervical flexion activities (Correct answer)
- Hypersensitivity to bright lighting during outdoor activities
- Increased fracture risk due to brittle bone disease
Correct answer: Atlantoaxial instability requiring restriction of cervical flexion activities
Atlantoaxial instability in some individuals with Down syndrome places the upper cervical spine at risk; activities involving extreme neck flexion (e.g., somersaults) should be avoided unless medically cleared.
Question 2: Which type of cerebral palsy is characterized by increased muscle tone and stiff, jerky movements?
- Athetoid (dyskinetic)
- Ataxic
- Spastic (Correct answer)
- Mixed
Correct answer: Spastic
Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type, involves hypertonia (increased muscle tone) resulting in stiff, awkward movements.
Question 3: A student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has difficulty with sensory processing during APE class. Which environmental modification would MOST help?
- Increasing class size to build social skills
- Reducing extraneous noise and visual clutter in the gym (Correct answer)
- Requiring full participation in all group activities
- Using bright colors and fast music to increase engagement
Correct answer: Reducing extraneous noise and visual clutter in the gym
Many students with ASD experience sensory sensitivities; reducing noise and visual clutter minimizes sensory overload and supports focused participation.
Question 4: Which condition is characterized by a short attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interferes with motor skill learning in APE?
- Dyspraxia
- ADHD (Correct answer)
- Tourette syndrome
- Oppositional defiant disorder
Correct answer: ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can significantly impact participation and skill acquisition in APE settings.
Question 5: For a student who uses a manual wheelchair in APE, which upper-body fitness concern is MOST important to address?
- Hip flexor tightness from prolonged sitting
- Rotator cuff overuse and shoulder impingement (Correct answer)
- Reduced grip strength from lack of fine motor use
- Lumbar lordosis from forward-leaning propulsion
Correct answer: Rotator cuff overuse and shoulder impingement
Wheelchair users who propel manually are at high risk for rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement due to repetitive overhead and pushing motions.
Question 6: Which visual impairment classification in Paralympic sport indicates an athlete who is totally blind?
- B1 (Correct answer)
- B2
- B3
- B4
Correct answer: B1
In Paralympic sport classification, B1 indicates total or near-total blindness with no light perception or only light perception in either eye.
APE APE Disability-Specific Knowledge & Conditions 1
A student with Down syndrome is cleared for physical activity.
Which precaution should the APE specialist be MOST aware of?