Sports Medicine & Injury Rehab 2026 Study Notes

1. What is the first stage of the tissue healing process? A) Remodeling B) Inflammation C) Proliferation D) Maturation Correct Answer: B) Inflammation 2. Which stage of healing involves the laying down of collagen to form a scar? A) Remodeling B) Proliferation (Fibroblastic) C) Inflammation D) Hemostasis Correct Answer: B) Proliferation (Fibroblastic) 3. "Wolff’s Law" states that: A) Muscles grow only when stressed. B) Bone adapts to the loads under which it is placed. C) Ligaments heal faster than tendons. D) Inflammation is always detrimental. Correct Answer: B) Bone adapts to the loads under which it is placed. 4. What is the primary purpose of "Proprioceptive" training in rehab? A) Increasing maximum force output. B) Improving the body's ability to sense position and movement in space to prevent re-injury. C) Reducing pain via medication. D) Stretching the muscles. Correct Answer: B) Improving the body's ability to sense position and movement in space to prevent re-injury. 5. Which protocol is most commonly used for acute soft tissue injury management in 2026? A) RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) B) PEACE & LOVE (Protect, Elevate, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compress, Educate & Load, Optimism, Vascularization, Exercise) C) HARM (Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage) D) NO (No activity, Only rest) Correct Answer: B) PEACE & LOVE 6. "Plyometric" exercises are designed to: A) Increase pure strength. B) Improve power and explosiveness using the stretch-shortening cycle. C) Decrease heart rate. D) Stretch the joints. Correct Answer: B) Improve power and explosiveness using the stretch-shortening cycle. 7. An "Eccentric" muscle contraction involves: A) Muscle shortening under tension. B) Muscle lengthening under tension. C) No change in muscle length. D) A relaxation phase. Correct Answer: B) Muscle lengthening under tension. 8. What is the main goal of "Periodization" in sports rehab? A) Training as hard as possible every day. B) Organizing training into cycles to maximize performance and minimize the risk of overtraining or injury. C) Resting for 6 months post-injury. D) Focusing only on aerobic training. Correct Answer: B) Organizing training into cycles to maximize performance and minimize the risk of overtraining. 9. In 2026, "Blood Flow Restriction" (BFR) training is used to: A) Increase blood pressure. B) Induce muscle hypertrophy and strength gains while using low-intensity mechanical loads. C) Stop all blood flow to the limb. D) Reduce the need for surgery. Correct Answer: B) Induce muscle hypertrophy and strength gains while using low-intensity mechanical loads. 10. What does the "Kinetic Chain" refer to in rehabilitation? A) Only the knee and ankle. B) The concept that the body’s segments (joints/muscles) work together to produce coordinated movement. C) A type of weight machine. D) The way nerves transmit pain. Correct Answer: B) The concept that the body’s segments work together to produce coordinated movement. 11. Which of the following is an "Isometric" exercise? A) Squats B) Planks (holding a position with no movement) C) Sprints D) Bicep curls Correct Answer: B) Planks 12. "Concentric" muscle contraction is: A) Shortening of the muscle under tension. B) Lengthening of the muscle under tension. C) Isometric. D) Not a contraction. Correct Answer: A) Shortening of the muscle under tension. 13. "Return to Sport" (RTS) criteria should ideally be: A) Based only on time since injury. B) Based on a battery of functional, psychological, and physiological tests. C) Based on the coach's decision. D) Based on the athlete's age. Correct Answer: B) Based on a battery of functional, psychological, and physiological tests. 14. What is the "SAID" principle in rehab? A) Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands. B) Strength And Injury Defense. C) Stretch And Improve Daily. D) Stop All Intense Durations. Correct Answer: A) Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands. 15. "ACL" rehabilitation 2026 guidelines emphasize: A) Immediate total immobilization. B) Early weight-bearing and neuromuscular control training. C) No exercises for 3 months. D) Only stretching. Correct Answer: B) Early weight-bearing and neuromuscular control training. 16. "Tendinopathy" management in 2026 favors: A) Complete rest. B) Progressive loading (heavy slow resistance). C) Avoiding all exercise. D) Applying heat constantly. Correct Answer: B) Progressive loading (heavy slow resistance). 17. "Concussion" return-to-play protocol requires: A) Immediate return after 24 hours. B) A gradual, symptom-guided approach (starting from light aerobic exercise to full contact). C) No activity for 1 year. D) Only neurological drugs. Correct Answer: B) A gradual, symptom-guided approach. 18. What is "Hypertrophy"? A) Decrease in muscle size. B) Increase in the size of muscle fibers. C) Increase in the number of bones. D) Decrease in joint range. Correct Answer: B) Increase in the size of muscle fibers. 19. "Agonist" muscle in a movement is: A) The muscle that opposes the action. B) The primary muscle responsible for the movement. C) The muscle that stabilizes the joint. D) The muscle that does nothing. Correct Answer: B) The primary muscle responsible for the movement. 20. "Antagonist" muscle in a movement is: A) The primary muscle. B) The muscle that opposes the action. C) The stabilizer. D) The muscle that relaxes completely. Correct Answer: B) The muscle that opposes the action. 21. "DOMS" (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is usually caused by: A) Bacterial infection. B) Microscopic tears in muscle fibers after intense exercise. C) Lack of sleep. D) Too much water. Correct Answer: B) Microscopic tears in muscle fibers after intense exercise. 22. "Power" =: A) Force × Time. B) Force × Velocity (or Work / Time).