SCS Rehabilitation & Return to Activity 3

Question 1

According to the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), what is the FIRST step in the graduated return-to-sport (GRTS) protocol after a concussion?

Accepted Answer

Symptom-limited daily activity

Answer

Symptom-limited daily activity (complete physical and cognitive rest until symptom-free) is the first stage before any aerobic exercise is introduced in the GRTS protocol.

Question 2

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is most appropriate during which phase of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation?

Accepted Answer

Preoperative strength preservation and early postoperative quadriceps activation

Answer

BFR training allows muscle hypertrophy and strength gains at low loads (20–30% 1RM), making it ideal for early postoperative and preoperative phases when heavy loading is contraindicated.

Question 3

A football lineman has completed all functional criteria for return to sport but scores below the recommended cutoff on the ACL Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. What should the clinician do?

Accepted Answer

Delay return and address psychological readiness through education and mental skills training

Answer

Low ACL-RSI scores are independently associated with re-injury and lower sport performance; psychological readiness must be addressed before return to full contact.

Question 4

Which plyometric progression principle is MOST important when designing a return-to-sport jumping program after patellar tendinopathy?

Accepted Answer

Begin with bilateral before advancing to unilateral tasks

Answer

Bilateral loading distributes forces across both limbs, reducing patellar tendon load, and should precede unilateral tasks in plyometric progression for tendinopathy rehabilitation.

Question 5

A swimmer recovering from shoulder labral repair is 12 weeks post-op. Her GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit) measures 20° compared to the contralateral side. What is the priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Posterior capsule stretching (e.g., sleeper stretch)

Answer

A GIRD of ≥15–20° is clinically significant and is addressed with posterior capsule stretching (sleeper and cross-body stretch) to restore full internal rotation.

(SCS) Sports Clinical Specialist Practice Test

(SCS) Sports Clinical Specialist Practice Test

SCS Rehabilitation & Return to Activity 3