Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Exercise Flashcards

A collegiate gymnast presents with lumbar spondylolysis. Which core exercise is MOST appropriate during the initial return-to-activity phase?

Answer: Dead bug with contralateral arm/leg extension

The dead bug exercise activates deep stabilizers (transversus abdominis, multifidus) in a neutral spine position, avoiding the hyperextension stress that aggravates pars interarticularis lesions.

In the management of rotator cuff tendinopathy, which exercise position minimizes subacromial space compression?

Answer: 90° shoulder abduction in the scapular plane

Scapular plane abduction at 90° (scaption) optimally positions the rotator cuff and minimizes subacromial impingement compared to pure abduction or overhead positions.

Which outcome measure is specifically designed to assess sport-related shoulder function and includes both symptoms and sport participation domains?

Answer: WOSI (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability) index

The WOSI index is a disease-specific questionnaire for shoulder instability that includes physical symptoms, sport/recreation, work/lifestyle, and emotional domains.

The Trendelenburg gait pattern observed in a runner is caused primarily by weakness of which muscle?

Answer: Ipsilateral hip abductors

Ipsilateral (stance-side) hip abductor weakness causes the contralateral pelvis to drop during single-leg stance, producing the Trendelenburg gait sign.

A cyclist with iliotibial band syndrome undergoes a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Which biomechanical factor is most commonly addressed?

Answer: Increased hip adduction and internal rotation during pedaling

Increased hip adduction and internal rotation during the pedal stroke elevates IT band tension against the lateral femoral condyle, and correcting this is central to ITBS rehab.

Which principle best describes why periodization is applied in athletic rehabilitation programs?

Answer: To systematically vary training load and recovery to optimize adaptation and prevent overtraining

Periodization systematically varies volume, intensity, and recovery periods to drive progressive adaptation while preventing cumulative fatigue and overtraining syndromes.

When using kinesiology tape (KT Tape) for shoulder support in an overhead athlete, the primary proposed mechanism of therapeutic benefit is:

Answer: Altered skin receptor input modifying pain perception and neuromuscular activation

Kinesiology tape's proposed mechanism is cutaneous mechanoreceptor stimulation that modulates pain via gate control and may alter motor neuron pool excitability.