Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Exercise Flashcards

Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle generates force while shortening?

Answer: Concentric contraction

A concentric contraction shortens the muscle as it produces force, such as the biceps during the lifting phase of a curl.

The overload principle in therapeutic exercise states that:

Answer: The body adapts only when subjected to a load greater than it is accustomed to

The overload principle requires progressively increasing load, volume, or intensity beyond the body's current capacity to stimulate adaptation.

Manual resistance training in PT is characterized by:

Answer: Therapist-applied resistance that can be adjusted in real-time based on patient ability

Manual resistance allows the therapist to grade and modify resistance interactively throughout the range of motion, accommodating for pain or weakness at different angles.

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching uses alternating contraction and relaxation to:

Answer: Enhance muscle flexibility through autogenic and reciprocal inhibition

PNF stretching leverages autogenic inhibition (Golgi tendon reflex) and reciprocal inhibition to relax the target muscle beyond its normal stretch tolerance.

The SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) means that rehabilitation exercises should:

Answer: Match the specific demands of the patient's functional or sport goals

The SAID principle states that the body adapts specifically to the type, intensity, and pattern of exercise imposed, so rehab exercises must mirror the patient's goals.

Eccentric strengthening is particularly effective for treating tendinopathy because it:

Answer: Promotes collagen remodeling and tendon structural adaptation

Eccentric loading creates tensile stress on tendon collagen, stimulating tenocyte activity and structural remodeling that improves tendon mechanical properties.