CCAT Therapeutic Exercise Prescription 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A canine rehabilitation therapist uses the 'FITT' principle when prescribing exercise. What does the 'T' for Type refer to in this context?
- The tissue targeted by the modality
- The specific exercise modality chosen, such as aquatic versus land-based (Correct answer)
- The temperature of the therapeutic environment
- The timing of exercise relative to meals
Correct answer: The specific exercise modality chosen, such as aquatic versus land-based
In the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type), 'Type' refers to the specific modality or form of exercise selected for the patient's goals.
Question 2: Which of the following exercises BEST targets the iliopsoas muscle in a canine patient with hip extension deficits?
- Downhill walking on a declined treadmill
- Sit-to-stand repetitions from a lowered surface
- Uphill walking or incline treadmill work (Correct answer)
- Lateral side-stepping along a wall
Correct answer: Uphill walking or incline treadmill work
Uphill or incline walking increases hip flexion demand, eccentrically loading and dynamically activating the iliopsoas muscle through a greater range of motion.
Question 3: A dog undergoing post-surgical rehabilitation demonstrates compensatory weight shifting to the sound forelimb. Which therapeutic exercise specifically addresses this asymmetry?
- Bilateral forelimb weight-bearing on a balance board
- Targeted weight-shifting exercises placing load toward the affected limb (Correct answer)
- Cavaletti pole work at increased pole height
- Core strengthening using a peanut ball in lateral recumbency
Correct answer: Targeted weight-shifting exercises placing load toward the affected limb
Targeted weight-shifting toward the affected limb encourages symmetrical loading and retrains the patient to bear weight appropriately on the healing limb.
Question 4: In therapeutic exercise prescription, 'periodization' refers to:
- Scheduling exercise sessions at consistent times of day
- The systematic progression and variation of exercise variables over time to optimize recovery and performance (Correct answer)
- Alternating between land and aquatic exercise within a single session
- Documenting exercise parameters after each session
Correct answer: The systematic progression and variation of exercise variables over time to optimize recovery and performance
Periodization involves planned variation of exercise frequency, intensity, and volume over time to prevent plateaus, avoid overtraining, and optimize rehabilitation outcomes.
Question 5: Which clinical sign during therapeutic exercise MOST warrants immediate cessation of the session?
- Mild panting during moderate aerobic exercise
- Sudden onset of non-weight-bearing lameness in the exercising limb (Correct answer)
- Increased respiratory rate from pre-exercise baseline
- Slight decrease in speed on the underwater treadmill
Correct answer: Sudden onset of non-weight-bearing lameness in the exercising limb
Sudden non-weight-bearing lameness indicates possible acute pain or injury and requires immediate exercise stoppage and patient assessment.
Question 6: A therapist prescribes 'cookie stretches' (nose-to-flank lateral cervical flexion) for a dog with neck stiffness. What is the PRIMARY goal?
- Strengthening the cervical extensor muscles concentrically
- Improving active cervical lateral flexion range of motion and paraspinal flexibility (Correct answer)
- Reducing disc pressure through axial cervical distraction
- Challenging vestibular function through head position changes
Correct answer: Improving active cervical lateral flexion range of motion and paraspinal flexibility
Cookie stretches use the dog's motivation to follow a treat to actively perform cervical lateral flexion, improving ROM and flexibility of the paraspinal and neck muscles.
Question 7: For a canine patient with cruciate ligament disease managed conservatively (no surgery), which land exercise is MOST appropriate in the early management phase?
- Plyometric box jumps to rebuild quadriceps power
- Leash-controlled slow walks with frequent rest breaks (Correct answer)
- Trotting over cavaletti poles at maximum pole height
- Incline sprinting to restore limb loading rapidly
Correct answer: Leash-controlled slow walks with frequent rest breaks
Controlled leash walking at a slow pace with rest breaks allows safe, low-impact limb use while minimizing cranial tibial thrust forces that stress the compromised ligament.
CCAT Therapeutic Exercise Prescription 3
A canine rehabilitation therapist uses the 'FITT' principle when prescribing exercise.
What does the 'T' for Type refer to in this context?