CCAT Therapeutic Exercise Prescription 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When introducing a balance board to a canine patient for the first time, which progression sequence is MOST appropriate?
- Start with all four limbs on the board at maximum tilt, then reduce tilt progressively
- Begin with forelimbs only on a stationary board, then progress to all-four and eventually dynamic movement (Correct answer)
- Immediately challenge the patient with lateral rocking to assess baseline balance
- Use the board exclusively for hindlimb-only exercises in the first session
Correct answer: Begin with forelimbs only on a stationary board, then progress to all-four and eventually dynamic movement
Introducing a balance board progressively—forelimbs first on a stationary surface before advancing to all-four and dynamic challenges—ensures patient confidence and safety.
Question 2: Which outcome measure is MOST appropriate for objectively tracking improved hindlimb strength over a rehabilitation program?
- Owner-reported pain scores on a visual analog scale
- Force plate ground reaction force data comparing affected and unaffected limbs (Correct answer)
- Goniometric measurement of stifle flexion angle
- Coat condition and body weight trends
Correct answer: Force plate ground reaction force data comparing affected and unaffected limbs
Force plate analysis quantifies peak vertical force and impulse, providing objective, reproducible data on limb loading symmetry and strength improvement over time.
Question 3: A therapist is designing an exercise program for a geriatric dog with muscle atrophy secondary to osteoarthritis. Which principle should guide the intensity of resistance exercises?
- Maximal load to stimulate hypertrophy as quickly as possible
- Sub-maximal load that can be sustained without compensatory movement or pain signs (Correct answer)
- No resistance training; only passive modalities are appropriate for geriatric patients
- Resistance calibrated to match peak performance values from the patient's youth
Correct answer: Sub-maximal load that can be sustained without compensatory movement or pain signs
Sub-maximal, pain-free resistance allows consistent training that builds muscle mass without causing compensatory patterns or exacerbating arthritic pain.
Question 4: Which aquatic exercise parameter should be decreased to REDUCE the cardiovascular demand on a dog during underwater treadmill therapy?
- Water temperature
- Belt speed (Correct answer)
- Session frequency per week
- Duration of rest intervals between bouts
Correct answer: Belt speed
Reducing belt speed directly decreases the intensity of locomotion effort, lowering cardiovascular and muscular demand during underwater treadmill therapy.
Question 5: A dog with cervical spinal cord injury (incomplete) is beginning therapeutic exercise. Which activity carries the HIGHEST risk of exacerbating the neurological injury?
- Slow-speed underwater treadmill walking with buoyancy support
- Passive ROM exercises performed within a pain-free range
- High-impact jumping activities that generate axial compressive forces (Correct answer)
- Gentle weight-shifting on a firm, level surface
Correct answer: High-impact jumping activities that generate axial compressive forces
High-impact jumping generates significant axial compressive and shear forces at the cervical spine, risking further spinal cord damage in an incomplete injury patient.
Question 6: The 'land mine' (nose-to-chest) cookie stretch is prescribed for a dog with thoracic kyphosis. What is the intended therapeutic effect?
- Strengthening the thoracic extensor muscles isometrically
- Actively flexing the cervicothoracic junction to stretch thoracic extensors and improve ROM (Correct answer)
- Reducing intervertebral disc pressure through distraction
- Activating the forelimb protractors to improve gait symmetry
Correct answer: Actively flexing the cervicothoracic junction to stretch thoracic extensors and improve ROM
The nose-to-chest stretch actively flexes the cervicothoracic region, stretching tight thoracic extensors and improving flexion ROM at a commonly stiff area.
Question 7: When prescribing a home exercise program (HEP) for a client, which factor is MOST critical to long-term compliance and safety?
- Prescribing the maximum number of exercises to optimize progress speed
- Providing written and video instructions for a small number of clearly demonstrated exercises (Correct answer)
- Relying solely on verbal instructions given at the end of the session
- Including exercises requiring specialized equipment the client must purchase
Correct answer: Providing written and video instructions for a small number of clearly demonstrated exercises
Written and video instructions for a concise exercise set maximize client recall, correct technique, and long-term adherence compared to verbal-only guidance.
CCAT Therapeutic Exercise Prescription 4
When introducing a balance board to a canine patient for the first time, which progression sequence is MOST appropriate?