Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What primarily influences the coordination of movements in physical therapy?

1. Muscle strength

2. Neural control

3. Balance and stability

4. Cardiovascular endurance

The correct answer is: Neural control

Neural control is fundamental in coordinating movements during physical therapy because it involves the brain's ability to process information and send signals to the muscles, ensuring smooth and effective motion. This neural pathway includes proprioception, the body’s sense of its position in space. In therapy, the focus is not just on the muscles themselves, but on how the nervous system integrates sensory input to produce coordinated and purposeful movement. This is especially crucial when a patient is recovering from injury or surgery, as the ability to properly coordinate movements can help in relearning motor skills and preventing future injuries. While factors like muscle strength, balance, and cardiovascular endurance are important for overall physical capability and performance, they are secondary to neural control when it comes to the specific coordination of movements. The nervous system's ability to accurately and efficiently orchestrate muscle activity is key to effective rehabilitation and therapy outcomes.