CCSP Adjunctive Sports Therapies 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a CONTRAINDICATION to the use of electrical stimulation in a collegiate sprinter?
- Muscle atrophy from disuse
- Demand-type cardiac pacemaker present (Correct answer)
- Delayed onset muscle soreness
- Chronic patellar tendinopathy
Correct answer: Demand-type cardiac pacemaker present
Demand-type cardiac pacemakers can be inhibited or triggered by electrical stimulation currents, making this an absolute contraindication.
Question 2: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching is considered superior to static stretching for improving flexibility in athletes primarily because:
- It exclusively lengthens Type II muscle fibers
- Autogenic and reciprocal inhibition combine to achieve greater muscle relaxation (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the stretch reflex entirely
- It requires no active patient participation
Correct answer: Autogenic and reciprocal inhibition combine to achieve greater muscle relaxation
PNF techniques exploit autogenic inhibition (via Golgi tendon organs) and reciprocal inhibition (via antagonist contraction) to achieve greater gains in muscle length.
Question 3: A CCSP applying phonophoresis would select which coupling medium to drive a topical anti-inflammatory into a swimmer's rotator cuff?
- Standard ultrasound gel without the medication
- Medicated gel containing the anti-inflammatory agent (Correct answer)
- Saline-soaked gauze pad
- Petroleum jelly for maximum acoustic coupling
Correct answer: Medicated gel containing the anti-inflammatory agent
In phonophoresis, the medication is incorporated into the coupling gel so that ultrasound's mechanical effects drive it transdermally into the target tissue.
Question 4: In the context of therapeutic taping for a patellar tracking dysfunction, McConnell tape is applied to:
- Immobilize the tibiofemoral joint during competition
- Medially glide the patella to reduce lateral facet compression (Correct answer)
- Compress the infrapatellar fat pad
- Prevent tibial external rotation
Correct answer: Medially glide the patella to reduce lateral facet compression
McConnell taping corrects lateral patellar tilt and glide by pulling the patella medially, reducing lateral facet pressure and pain during functional activities.
Question 5: A triathlete recovering from plantar fasciitis is prescribed night splints as an adjunct. The primary therapeutic goal is to:
- Strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles during sleep
- Maintain the plantar fascia in a lengthened position to prevent morning contracture (Correct answer)
- Reduce subtalar pronation throughout the night
- Offload the medial calcaneal nerve
Correct answer: Maintain the plantar fascia in a lengthened position to prevent morning contracture
Night splints hold the foot in dorsiflexion, maintaining a gentle stretch on the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon to prevent overnight contracture responsible for first-step pain.
Question 6: The 'PRICE' protocol applied immediately post-ankle sprain in a basketball player stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The primary purpose of Compression is to:
- Increase venous return by raising distal hydrostatic pressure
- Limit edema formation by increasing tissue pressure against capillary filtration (Correct answer)
- Stimulate lymphatic pump activity via intermittent pressure
- Reduce pain through counter-irritation at the skin level
Correct answer: Limit edema formation by increasing tissue pressure against capillary filtration
Compression elevates interstitial hydrostatic pressure, opposing the Starling forces driving fluid out of capillaries and thereby limiting edema formation.
Question 7: Graston Technique (a form of IASTM) is BEST indicated for which clinical presentation in a throwing athlete?
- Acute rotator cuff tear with hemarthrosis
- Chronic soft tissue fibrosis and myofascial restrictions (Correct answer)
- First-degree lateral ankle sprain within 48 hours
- Stress fracture of the humerus
Correct answer: Chronic soft tissue fibrosis and myofascial restrictions
Graston Technique is specifically designed to detect and treat chronic fibrotic and myofascial adhesions by introducing controlled mechanical stress to remodel connective tissue.
CCSP Adjunctive Sports Therapies 4
Which of the following is a CONTRAINDICATION to the use of electrical stimulation in a collegiate sprinter?