CCSP Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Exercise 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A collegiate gymnast presents with lumbar spondylolysis. Which core exercise is MOST appropriate during the initial return-to-activity phase?
- Back extension hyperextension machine
- Dead bug with contralateral arm/leg extension (Correct answer)
- Bilateral lumbar extension with resistance
- Good morning exercise with barbell
Correct 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.
Question 2: In the management of rotator cuff tendinopathy, which exercise position minimizes subacromial space compression?
- 90° shoulder abduction in the scapular plane (Correct answer)
- Full overhead reach at 180°
- Horizontal adduction across chest
- Internal rotation behind the back
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which outcome measure is specifically designed to assess sport-related shoulder function and includes both symptoms and sport participation domains?
- DASH questionnaire
- ASES score
- WOSI (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability) index (Correct answer)
- Constant-Murley score
Correct 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.
Question 4: The Trendelenburg gait pattern observed in a runner is caused primarily by weakness of which muscle?
- Ipsilateral hip abductors (Correct answer)
- Contralateral hip abductors
- Ipsilateral hip extensors
- Contralateral hip flexors
Correct 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.
Question 5: A cyclist with iliotibial band syndrome undergoes a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Which biomechanical factor is most commonly addressed?
- Excessive lumbar lordosis
- Increased hip adduction and internal rotation during pedaling (Correct answer)
- Reduced ankle plantarflexion strength
- Excessive thoracic kyphosis
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which principle best describes why periodization is applied in athletic rehabilitation programs?
- To keep all training variables constant throughout recovery
- To systematically vary training load and recovery to optimize adaptation and prevent overtraining (Correct answer)
- To eliminate rest periods for faster healing
- To focus exclusively on sport-specific skills from day one
Correct 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.
Question 7: When using kinesiology tape (KT Tape) for shoulder support in an overhead athlete, the primary proposed mechanism of therapeutic benefit is:
- Direct mechanical immobilization of the glenohumeral joint
- Altered skin receptor input modifying pain perception and neuromuscular activation (Correct answer)
- Compression that increases blood flow velocity
- Reduction of subacromial bursa swelling via suction
Correct 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.
CCSP Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Exercise 5
A collegiate gymnast presents with lumbar spondylolysis.
Which core exercise is MOST appropriate during the initial return-to-activity phase?