Questions
3-4 questions per major university paper
Difficulty
Medium
Importance
High yield for BPT and medical board theory exams
Overview
Therapeutic exercises are the systematic performance of bodily movements intended to restore function, prevent impairment, and improve physical performance. Mastering these concepts is essential for clinical examination sections in BPT and allied health exams as they form the foundational protocols for patient rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Classification of Therapeutic Movements
This section covers the spectrum of movement based on muscle involvement and external assistance. It is the primary framework for selecting the appropriate intensity for a patient during the early or late stages of recovery.
- Passive Exercise: Movement performed by external force with no voluntary muscle contraction
- Active-Assistive Exercise: Voluntary contraction assisted by mechanical or manual force
- Active Exercise: Movement performed entirely by the patient's voluntary muscle contraction
- Resisted Exercise: Movement against external resistance to build strength
Muscle Action Dynamics: Isometric, Isotonic, and Isokinetic
These classifications define how the muscle length and tension interact during contraction. Differentiating these is a frequent exam requirement for both theory papers and practical viva assessment.
- Isometric: Constant muscle length, no joint movement, static tension
- Isotonic: Constant muscle tension with changing muscle length
- Isotonic (Concentric): Muscle shortens while producing tension
- Isotonic (Eccentric): Muscle lengthens while producing tension
- Isokinetic: Constant velocity of movement with variable resistance
Strengthening and Endurance Programs
These programs are designed to alter the metabolic and structural capacity of muscles. You must distinguish between low-load, high-repetition endurance training and high-load, low-repetition strengthening protocols.
- Strengthening: Low reps (8-12), high intensity (60-80% 1RM)
- Endurance: High reps (15+), lower intensity
- SAID Principle: Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands
- Overload Principle: Muscles must be worked beyond normal limits to trigger adaptation
Formula Sheet
1RM (One Repetition Maximum) Calculation
Delorme's Protocol (10 reps at 50%, 75%, and 100% of 10RM)
Oxford Protocol (inverse of Delorme)
Exam Tip
Always relate the type of exercise to the phase of healing (e.g., Passive in the acute inflammatory phase vs. Resisted in the remodeling phase) to secure full marks on clinical application questions.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Concentric vs. Eccentric contractions in the context of gravity
- Failing to mention the 'velocity' component when defining Isokinetic exercises
- Treating 'Active' and 'Active-Assistive' exercises as synonymous in clinical prescriptions
More Revision Notes
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