PCE PCE Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the overload principle in therapeutic exercise?
- Training at the same intensity indefinitely to maintain results
- Applying a stress greater than what the body is accustomed to in order to stimulate adaptation (Correct answer)
- Reducing exercise load after each session to prevent fatigue
- Performing only low-resistance exercises to avoid injury
Correct answer: Applying a stress greater than what the body is accustomed to in order to stimulate adaptation
The overload principle requires progressively increasing exercise demands beyond the current capacity to stimulate physiological adaptation.
Question 2: A physiotherapist is treating a patient with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Which phase of rehabilitation should focus on neuromuscular control and proprioception?
- Acute inflammatory phase
- Tissue healing and protection phase
- Functional rehabilitation phase (Correct answer)
- Pre-injury prevention phase
Correct answer: Functional rehabilitation phase
The functional rehabilitation phase emphasizes neuromuscular control, proprioception, and sport- or task-specific activities to prepare the patient for return to full function.
Question 3: When using the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale for aerobic exercise prescription, which range corresponds to moderate-intensity exercise?
- 6–8 on the Borg 6–20 scale
- 12–14 on the Borg 6–20 scale (Correct answer)
- 17–19 on the Borg 6–20 scale
- 20 on the Borg 6–20 scale
Correct answer: 12–14 on the Borg 6–20 scale
On the original Borg 6–20 RPE scale, a rating of 12–14 corresponds to moderate-intensity exercise, roughly equivalent to 60–70% of maximum heart rate.
Question 4: Which muscle is the primary stabilizer of the lumbar spine targeted in transversus abdominis activation exercises?
- Rectus abdominis
- External oblique
- Transversus abdominis (Correct answer)
- Iliopsoas
Correct answer: Transversus abdominis
The transversus abdominis is the deepest abdominal muscle and the primary target in core stabilization programs due to its role in spinal stiffness and lumbar support.
Question 5: A patient recovering from an ACL reconstruction at 12 weeks is ready to progress rehabilitation. Which criterion is most important before initiating plyometric training?
- Achieving full passive knee extension
- Limb symmetry index of at least 70% quadriceps strength (Correct answer)
- Zero pain on a numerical rating scale
- Return to full pre-injury sport participation
Correct answer: Limb symmetry index of at least 70% quadriceps strength
A quadriceps limb symmetry index of at least 70% (ideally 85–90%) is a key criterion before introducing plyometric loading following ACL reconstruction.
Question 6: Aquatic therapy is particularly beneficial for which of the following patient populations due to the principles of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure?
- Patients with peripheral neuropathy avoiding sensory input
- Patients with early weight-bearing restrictions post-fracture (Correct answer)
- Patients requiring high-impact aerobic conditioning
- Patients with severe claustrophobia
Correct answer: Patients with early weight-bearing restrictions post-fracture
Buoyancy in aquatic therapy reduces effective body weight, allowing patients with weight-bearing restrictions to exercise earlier in their rehabilitation.
PCE PCE Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 2
Which of the following best describes the overload principle in therapeutic exercise?