Rest of quizzes and discussion

1. An antalgic gait pattern (or limping) typically has which of the following characteristics? Asymmetrical step length.

2. What happens to the support base as someone transitions from walking to running? It narrows.

3. In someone with a low arch or pronated foot position which of the following characteristics are you most likely to see when analyzing their footprint? The full shape of their foot, looks almost like a box. 

4. Which of the following is a possible explanation for why someone would carry an extra-large (asymmetrical) foot angle? Having reduced dorsiflexion on the involved side.

5. What is one benefit of an infrared video system? It is more accurate for capturing reflective markers and thus more reliable for research.

6. Which of the following is important for obtaining accurate data using an infrared video analysis system? Competent palpation skills to accurately place the reflective markers.

7. Suppose someone scores higher than normal on the Tug or a Gait Speed Test. What does that indicate? They’re at an increased risk of falling in the future.

8. Which of the following describes the shape of a typical vertical ground reaction force graph in one's gait cycle? Butterfly wings with two peaks.

9. For a patient or client who has good trunk control what type of seat back is most appropriate? Low profile foam.

10. Which of the following types of wheelchairs would be most efficient for manual propulsion? An ultralight rigid framed chair.

Week 10 Quiz

1. Any weight affecting a free body diagram will be demonstrated as a force in what direction? Vertical.

2. When using surface electrode EMG where does one attach the wires? Red: Muscle and White: Bone

3. The lever arm is running in what direction related to the fulcrum and force? Perpendicular to them.

4. For a maximally activated muscle, which of the following contraction speeds will result in the highest muscle force produced? A fast lengthening contraction.

5. For a muscle that is activated and shortened to less than 50% of its resting length, why will you see a reduction in force production? Active insufficiency.

6. Which of the following phases of the gait cycle has the lowest ground reaction force? Loading response.

7. When the resistance moment arm is longer than the effort moment arm and they are on the same side of the fulcrum, this is an example of what class lever? Class III.

8. If the line of pull for a muscle goes in front of the hip what is a possible resulting concentric action? Hip flexion.

9. Which of the following has NO bearing on the amount of muscle torque production? Size of the fulcrum.

10. What does the rate of torque production tell you? How quickly they are able to activate their muscle force.

1. A valgus stress is applied when the distal segment moves in what direction? Laterally.

2. If we’re attempting to maximize our driving distance, at our arm in parallel position in our backswing, where should our weight be distributed? On your back foot.

3. The functional unit of gait that includes two steps is called: a stride.

4. If you want to know the magnitude of the resultant force of two vectors, what is a method to find the resultant force? Place them tip to tail and connect the open tail to the open tip.

5. How can we use technology to attempt to prevent secondary injuries in return to sport after an ACL injury? To assess specific deficits in force production for different types of contractions.

6. Name the two critical moments, where forces are greatest, in a throwing motion. Late cocking and ball release.

7. Which of the following risk factors could lead to tendinopathy in baseball or softball pitchers? The high number of repetitions.

8. Which of the following are components of informed consent? All of the above: The provider must be of sufficient mental compacity (and not a minor), explain necessity of the intervention, and explain all possible side effects of the intervention.

9. In the torque equation, T = F x d, what does the “d” stand for? Length of the moment arm.

   Functional movements:

   Lifting techniques Johnny and Hunter

   Functional testing (from Luke)

   Functional use of ground reaction force (golf)

   
   

   Discussion Boards

   I just got hurt and sprained my ankle. Should I ice/heat? Should I go into a boot? How do you treat acute injuries?

   • Ice vs. Heat for Ankle Sprains: Ice is recommended immediately after an ankle sprain to reduce inflammation and pain, especially within the first 48-72 hours, using 15-20 minute intervals. Heat is more beneficial after the initial swelling subsides (after 48-72 hours) to promote tissue flexibility and healing. Using heat too early may worsen swelling.

   • Boot or Brace Usage: For moderate to severe ankle sprains (grade 2 or 3), a boot or brace provides short-term stability and immobilization, preventing further ligament strain. However, prolonged use should be avoided, and functional exercises should be introduced to strengthen the ligament.

   • Treating Acute Ankle Injuries: Treatment should follow a structured plan, including ice, compression, and functional exercises. Proprioceptive and balancing exercises aid in mobility, reduce the risk of re-injury and accelerate recovery. Using treatments at the wrong time (e.g., heat too soon) can hinder healing.

   How does shoe design specifically high-top vs low top and any other features impact injuries in basketball players?

   • High-Top vs. Low-Top Shoes and Stability: High-top shoes provide increased stability and resistance to ankle inversion during plantar flexion, reducing the likelihood of ankle sprains. This makes them a safer option for preventing injuries, especially for players in positions requiring less explosiveness (e.g., power forwards and centers).

   • Low-Top Shoes and Performance: Low-top shoes allow for greater ankle mobility, increased range of motion, and faster ankle inversion velocity. This promotes higher acceleration and sharper cuts, benefiting guards and small forwards who rely on speed and agility. However, the increased inversion velocity raises the risk of ankle sprains.

   • Risk vs. Performance Trade-Off: While high-top shoes reduce the risk of injuries due to ankle inversion, they limit explosiveness and lateral movement. Low-top shoes enhance performance during fast and explosive movements but come with a higher risk of ankle sprains, requiring athletes to balance injury prevention and performance needs.

   Discuss the efficacy and compare and contrast different soft tissue treatment techniques including cupping or the Graston technique (scraping).

   • Cupping uses suction to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and facilitate healing, often leaving circular bruises. Studies suggest benefits for pain and function, such as improved symptoms of low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome when combined with physical therapy. However, results can vary depending on the individual.

   • Graston involves instrument-assisted scraping to break up fascia and scar tissue, enhancing range of motion, flexibility, and pain reduction. Studies demonstrate consistent improvements in mobility and pain relief, such as increased dorsiflexion and reduced low back pain.

   • Cupping focuses on increasing circulation and is non-invasive, while Graston targets deeper tissues with more manual intervention. Graston tends to produce more consistent results across patients, whereas cupping’s efficacy can depend more on individual response.

   10. How does squatting/ doing weight workouts shod or barefoot or with assistive devices like toe supports or heel lifts change or impact squatting performance?

   • Weightlifting shoes and heel lifts reduce trunk lean, minimize shear stress on the lower back, and allow for deeper squats by starting the ankle in a plantarflexed position. Toe spacers do not significantly impact ankle range of motion or dynamic balance in healthy individuals.

   • Barefoot and flat sole lifting provide similar balance performance but may not offer the same advantages as weightlifting shoes for improving squat depth and reducing injury risk.

   • Choosing the appropriate footwear or assistive device is critical for optimizing squat performance, preventing injury, and aiding rehabilitation.

   10. How can you accelerate your recovery from a significant physical effort?

   • Core Recovery Fundamentals: Nutrition and sleep are essential for accelerating recovery. Consuming 1.2g of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per hour post-exercise replenishes muscle glycogen effectively. Pairing this with ~20g of protein every few hours supports muscle-protein synthesis. Additionally, sleeping for at least 10 hours per night enhances recovery by improving sprint performance, aerobic capacity, and reaction times.

   • Recovery Methods at St. Olaf: Tools like pneumatic compression, contrast baths (CB), foam rolling, and cupping are available for recovery. Contrast baths improve tissue oxygenation, foam rolling reduces delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and increases pain thresholds, and cupping reduces muscle fatigue 24 hours post-application. Pneumatic compression provides short-term DOMS relief but shows limited benefit for muscle damage.

   • Individualized Recovery: Recovery methods vary in effectiveness depending on the individual. It’s important to experiment with different tools to determine personal preferences while prioritizing core elements like nutrition and sleep for optimal recovery.

   11. How can the use of sports psychology strategies by coaches influence youth relationships with performance and satisfaction within athletics?

   • Mental Skills Training: Coaches can enhance athletes' resilience and motivation by implementing strategies like goal-setting, visualization, and self-talk. These techniques improve performance, increase focus, and reduce anxiety, leading to greater satisfaction and personal growth.

   • Creating a Supportive Environment: Coaches who teach empathy, open communication, and self-compassion foster a positive atmosphere, enhancing team cohesion and individual satisfaction. This supportive environment encourages athletes to feel valued, promoting long-term engagement in sports.

   • Focus on Personal Growth and Emotional Well-Being: By prioritizing personal development and emotional well-being over just competition, coaches help athletes build a healthy relationship with their performance, leading to improved satisfaction and sustained involvement in sports.

   12. Discuss how functional movements can be used to assess return to play after an injury.

   • Functional Movement Assessment (FMA): The FMA identifies movement deficiencies that could lead to injury by evaluating posture, gait, and clinical function. This helps in identifying muscle imbalances and poor movement patterns that could put the athlete at risk when returning to sport.

   • Corrective Exercise Program: After the FMA, a tailored corrective exercise program addresses the identified imbalances, improving the athlete’s movement patterns. This program is crucial for preventing re-injury and ensuring that the athlete is physically prepared for the demands of their sport.

   • Functional Performance Tests and Screening: Tools like the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) evaluate key sport-specific movements such as the deep squat and trunk stability push-up. A score of 14 or lower out of 21 indicates a higher risk of injury, guiding decisions about whether an athlete is ready to return to play post-rehabilitation.

   12.  You have a golf player who wants to hit the ball farther. How could you go about building a program (keep it simple and assume you aren't a teaching pro you're a biomechanist) to start this process? How can you utilize ground reaction forces in a golfer to increase drive distance?

   • A golfer's swing should focus on efficient force transfer through the pelvis, thoracic spine, shoulders, and hands. Practicing balance and weight distribution on both sides improves muscle memory and swing efficiency, which can add distance to drives.

   • Exercises targeting the core, legs, and upper body (e.g., squats, lunges, deadlifts, and cable woodchoppers) build the strength, power, and flexibility necessary to generate more force during the swing and improve overall stability.

   • Improving flexibility with rotational stretches and exercises like single-leg Romanian deadlifts enhances balance and weight transfer, which is crucial for optimizing swing mechanics and driving distance.

   13. Describe dry needling and its application.  Compare adverse effects to other common interventions.

   • Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points using thin needles to decrease muscle tightness, improve blood flow, and stimulate endorphin release. It can be performed at superficial or deep tissue levels, often as part of a comprehensive treatment plan involving exercise and rehabilitation.

   • Dry needling is a Western medicine technique focused on relieving muscle dysfunction, whereas acupuncture is rooted in Eastern medicine and aims to balance energy pathways (meridians). Fewer needles are typically used in dry needling, and its goal is more directly muscle-focused.

   • Potential adverse effects include soreness, stiffness, fainting, and rare risks of infection, which are generally mild compared to pharmacological treatments or invasive surgeries. Similar to other manual therapies like massage or chiropractic adjustments, adverse effects are often transient but depend on individual response.

   14. Affects and Treatments of Osteoporosis. 

   • Osteoporosis is a "silent disease" that weakens bones, leading to brittleness and fractures, commonly in the wrist, back, and hips. It results from an imbalance in bone resorption and formation, causing decreased bone density and symptoms like fractures, poor posture, and height loss.

   • Women, especially postmenopausal, are at higher risk due to smaller body size and reduced estrogen levels, but men can also develop the disease. Risk factors include age, poor nutrition, certain medications, and lifestyle choices.

   • Aquatic therapy and swimming 3–6 hours weekly significantly improve bone density in postmenopausal women. A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein is essential for maintaining and improving bone health.

   15. Discuss the implications of shod vs. unshod and strike patterns in running. 

   • Shod running is often associated with heel striking, which increases stride length but may lead to higher impact forces on the knee and hip. In contrast, unshod running typically involves forefoot or midfoot striking, which reduces impact on the foot and ankle but increases strain on the lower leg muscles and Achilles tendon.

   • Running with shoes may promote a more upright posture and longer strides, while barefoot running encourages shorter, quicker steps that can improve efficiency and proprioception. Habitual barefoot runners may also experience morphological changes, such as a more spread-out big toe, which aids in load distribution and reduces forefoot pressure.

   • Shod running protects against environmental hazards but may increase the risk of overuse injuries in the hips and knees. In contrast, barefoot running can raise the risk of foot-related injuries like stress fractures and plantar fasciitis, although there is little evidence to suggest it leads to long-term injury problems when using proper strike patterns. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and injury rates of barefoot versus shod running.

   1. Discuss Parkinsonism: types, signs, symptoms, and treatment options. 

   • Types and Symptoms: Parkinsonism refers to a group of neurodegenerative disorders, with Parkinson’s disease (PD) being the most common. PD is characterized by bradykinesia (slowed movement), tremors, and postural instability. The primary cause of these symptoms is the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, which affects motor control and leads to symptoms like a shuffling gait and increased risk of falls.

   • Treatment Options: The main treatment for Parkinsonism includes medications like Levodopa (often combined with Carbidopa) to increase dopamine levels. Newer drugs, such as safinamide and pimavanserin, also show promise in improving symptoms. In more advanced stages, non-invasive brain stimulation and deep brain stimulation surgery may be considered to improve motor control.

   • Therapies and Interventions: Physical and occupational therapy are important for managing symptoms, with physical activity, especially resistance training, helping to improve motor function. Environmental cues, such as rhythmic beeping patterns, can assist with walking patterns. However, while these therapies are effective in the short term, they often have limited long-term effects on daily living activities.