PCE PCE Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens while producing force, commonly used in eccentric strengthening programs?
- Concentric contraction
- Isometric contraction
- Eccentric contraction (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic contraction
Correct answer: Eccentric contraction
Eccentric contractions occur when a muscle produces force while lengthening, and are commonly prescribed for tendon rehabilitation such as Achilles tendinopathy.
Question 2: A physiotherapist prescribes a progressive resistive exercise program. According to the SAID principle, training adaptations are most effective when:
- Exercises are performed at low intensity for long duration
- The demand placed on the body is specific to the desired outcome (Correct answer)
- Resistance is kept constant throughout the program
- Exercises are performed in a pain-free range only
Correct answer: The demand placed on the body is specific to the desired outcome
The SAID (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) principle states that the body adapts specifically to the type of stress placed upon it.
Question 3: Which outcome measure is most appropriate for assessing functional balance in a community-dwelling older adult during a PCE-style clinical scenario?
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale
- Berg Balance Scale (Correct answer)
- Oswestry Disability Index
- Visual Analog Scale
Correct answer: Berg Balance Scale
The Berg Balance Scale is a validated 14-item tool specifically designed to assess static and dynamic balance in older adults.
Question 4: When designing a home exercise program (HEP) for a patient post-total knee arthroplasty at week 4, which exercise is most appropriate?
- Full squat to 120° of knee flexion
- High-impact jogging
- Seated knee flexion and extension within pain-free range (Correct answer)
- Resisted leg press at maximum load
Correct answer: Seated knee flexion and extension within pain-free range
At four weeks post-TKA, gentle active range-of-motion exercises within pain-free limits are appropriate to restore mobility without stressing the healing joint.
Question 5: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching is most effective for improving flexibility because it:
- Increases muscle fiber cross-sectional area
- Utilizes autogenic and reciprocal inhibition to reduce muscle tone (Correct answer)
- Applies continuous passive motion to joints
- Stimulates the Golgi tendon organ to produce contraction
Correct answer: Utilizes autogenic and reciprocal inhibition to reduce muscle tone
PNF stretching leverages autogenic inhibition (via GTO activation after isometric contraction) and reciprocal inhibition to achieve greater muscle relaxation and flexibility gains.
Question 6: A patient with chronic low back pain is in the maintenance phase of rehabilitation. Which of the following exercise prescriptions best reflects evidence-based guidelines?
- Complete bed rest to protect the spine
- A single modality such as ultrasound only
- Active, individualized exercise program including core stabilization and aerobic conditioning (Correct answer)
- Passive stretching only performed by the therapist
Correct answer: Active, individualized exercise program including core stabilization and aerobic conditioning
Evidence supports active, individualized exercise combining core stabilization and aerobic conditioning for long-term management of chronic low back pain.
PCE PCE Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation 1
Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens while producing force, commonly used in eccentric strengthening programs?