NPTE-PTA Therapeutic Exercise 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of muscle contraction produces the greatest force?
- Concentric
- Isometric
- Eccentric (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic
Correct answer: Eccentric
Eccentric contractions produce the greatest force because cross-bridge cycling and passive elastic elements combine to resist lengthening.
Question 2: The SAID principle in rehabilitation stands for:
- Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (Correct answer)
- Systematic Application of Increasing Difficulty
- Submaximal Activity for Increased Duration
- Strength and Agility Improvement Design
Correct answer: Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands
The SAID principle states the body specifically adapts to the type of demands placed upon it during training.
Question 3: Which stretching technique uses alternating contraction and relaxation to increase ROM?
- Static stretching
- Ballistic stretching
- Contract-relax PNF stretching (Correct answer)
- Passive stretching
Correct answer: Contract-relax PNF stretching
Contract-relax PNF uses autogenic inhibition (contraction then relaxation of the target muscle) to allow greater ROM.
Question 4: Open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises for the knee are appropriate for:
- Early ACL reconstruction rehabilitation to protect the graft
- Patellofemoral syndrome management
- Terminal knee extension strengthening of the quadriceps (Correct answer)
- Improving functional gait pattern
Correct answer: Terminal knee extension strengthening of the quadriceps
OKC terminal knee extension isolates the quadriceps and is used for strengthening in specific ranges without graft stress.
Question 5: The overload principle states that for strength gains to occur:
- Exercise must be performed daily
- The load must exceed what the tissue is accustomed to (Correct answer)
- Only bodyweight exercises should be used
- Training must be maximal intensity every session
Correct answer: The load must exceed what the tissue is accustomed to
The overload principle requires that the training stimulus exceed the body's current capacity to drive physiological adaptation.
Question 6: Which exercise is most appropriate for a patient in the acute phase of lumbar rehabilitation?
- Deadlifts with full spinal flexion
- Posterior pelvic tilt in supine (pelvic stabilization) (Correct answer)
- Full sit-ups with hip flexors anchored
- Standing long-lever trunk rotations
Correct answer: Posterior pelvic tilt in supine (pelvic stabilization)
Posterior pelvic tilts in supine activate the transverse abdominis and reduce lumbar lordosis with minimal spinal load.
NPTE-PTA Therapeutic Exercise 1
Which type of muscle contraction produces the greatest force?