Sport Therapist Prometric exam questions with answers

1. Question 1Acute Management and Emergency Care in Sportmedium

   A winger lands heavily and has a visibly deformed shoulder with severe pain, and a suspected anterior dislocation on the pitch. What is the best immediate management?

   1. ASupport the arm as found, check pulses and sensation, and refer for imaging
   2. BPull the arm firmly downward to reduce it on the pitch
   3. CStrap the arm tightly to the chest without checking the hand
   4. DApply heat and let the athlete resume play when comfortable
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Support the arm as found, check pulses and sensation, and refer for imaging

   A suspected dislocation is supported in the position of comfort, with a neurovascular check before and after, and sent for imaging and controlled reduction. Forced reduction can injure nerves and vessels, tight strapping hides vascular compromise, and returning to play risks further damage.

   Reference: Brukner P, Khan K, Clinical Sports Medicine, 5th ed. (2017)

2. Question 2Exercise Physiology and Conditioninghard

   After eight weeks of endurance training, which adaptation is expected?

   1. AA higher resting heart rate with a lower stroke volume
   2. BA lower mitochondrial density in trained muscle
   3. CA reduced capillary density around muscle fibres
   4. DA lower resting heart rate with a higher stroke volume
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. A lower resting heart rate with a higher stroke volume

   Endurance training enlarges stroke volume, so the heart pumps the same output with fewer beats, and increases mitochondria and capillaries. The other options describe the opposite of the training response.

   Reference: ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 11th ed. (2021)

3. Question 3Anatomy, Biomechanics and Kinesiologymedium

   On a single-leg landing, an athlete's knee falls inward into dynamic valgus. Which weakness most likely contributes?

   1. AWeak gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles
   2. BWeak biceps femoris at the ischial origin of the hamstrings
   3. CWeak tibialis posterior supporting the medial arch
   4. DWeak rectus abdominis during trunk flexion movements
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Weak gluteus medius and hip external rotator muscles

   Poor hip abductor and external rotator control allows the femur to adduct and rotate inward, producing knee valgus. The other muscles do not control femoral position in the frontal plane.

   Reference: Neumann DA, Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System, 3rd ed. (2017)

4. Question 4Exercise Physiology and Conditioningmedium

   A coach uses the session RPE method. A player rates a 60-minute training session 7 out of 10. What is the session training load?

   1. A67 arbitrary units
   2. B130 arbitrary units
   3. C240 arbitrary units
   4. D420 arbitrary units
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. 420 arbitrary units

   Session RPE load is the session rating multiplied by its duration in minutes, so 7 times 60 gives 420 arbitrary units. Adding the numbers gives 67, and the other values do not follow from the method.

   Reference: Foster C et al., A new approach to monitoring exercise training, J Strength Cond Res (2001)

5. Question 5Injury Prevention and Athlete Screeningeasy

   Which type of warm-up is generally preferred before sport to prepare the muscles?

   1. AProlonged static stretching of each muscle
   2. BA dynamic warm-up with progressive movement
   3. CIce application to the main muscles
   4. DA single maximal sprint with no preparation
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. A dynamic warm-up with progressive movement

   A dynamic, progressive warm-up raises muscle temperature and prepares movement patterns. Long static stretches may reduce power, ice cools tissue, and an unprepared maximal sprint is a risk.

   Reference: ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 11th ed. (2021)

6. Question 6Injury Prevention and Athlete Screeningmedium

   Which intervention has the best evidence for reducing non-contact lower-limb injuries in team sport?

   1. AStatic stretching before each match
   2. BAn ice bath taken after each training session
   3. CCompression garments worn throughout the match
   4. DA structured neuromuscular warm-up (FIFA 11+)
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. A structured neuromuscular warm-up (FIFA 11+)

   Programmes combining strength, balance and landing training lower injury rates. Static stretching, cold baths and compression garments lack comparable evidence.

   Reference: Brukner P, Khan K, Clinical Sports Medicine, 5th ed. (2017)

7. Question 7Sports Injury Assessment and Clinical Reasoninghard

   A distance runner has focal shin tenderness, pain on hopping and a recent sharp rise in mileage. What is the best next step?

   1. AContinue running with ultrasound therapy
   2. BStop impact loading and refer for MRI
   3. CStart deep friction massage and keep training
   4. DUse a calf stretch and run through the pain
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Stop impact loading and refer for MRI

   The picture suggests a tibial bone stress injury, which needs offloading and imaging to grade it. Running through the pain risks progression to a complete fracture, and modalities or massage do not treat bone stress.

   Reference: Brukner P, Khan K, Clinical Sports Medicine, 5th ed. (2017)

8. Question 8Rehabilitation and Return to Playeasy

   What is the best early approach for a grade 1 lateral ankle sprain?

   1. ACast immobilisation for six weeks to protect the ligament
   2. BRest from loading until the ankle is pain-free
   3. CEarly protected weight-bearing and pain-guided movement
   4. DHeavy plyometric training starting from the first day
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Early protected weight-bearing and pain-guided movement

   Early protected loading and motion speeds recovery in mild sprains. Long immobilisation causes stiffness and weakness, total rest delays recovery, and plyometrics on day one overloads healing ligament.

   Reference: Martin RL et al., Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Ankle Ligament Sprains, JOSPT (2021)

9. Question 9Professional Practice, Ethics and UAE Lawmedium

   A coach asks about the diagnosis of an injured athlete. What should the therapist do?

   1. AShare the complete clinical report with the coach
   2. BShare the report with the athlete's teammates too
   3. CDecline to discuss even the athlete's availability
   4. DShare only what is needed, with athlete's consent
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Share only what is needed, with athlete's consent

   Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on ICT in health fields protects health information, so disclosure is limited and needs consent. Full disclosure breaches confidentiality, and refusing any discussion makes safe team planning difficult.

   Reference: UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on the Use of ICT in Health Fields

10. Question 10Rehabilitation and Return to Playmedium

    What is first-line management of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy?

    1. ACorticosteroid injection directly into the tendon body
    2. BProgressive loading such as heavy slow resistance
    3. CRest from sport for three months
    4. DCalf stretching by itself, held for 30 seconds each
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Progressive loading such as heavy slow resistance

    Progressive loading of the tendon has the strongest evidence for pain and function. Steroid injection raises rupture risk, rest causes deconditioning, and stretching alone does not load the tendon.

    Reference: Martin RL et al., Achilles Pain, Stiffness, and Muscle Power Deficits: Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy Revision, JOSPT (2018)

11. Question 11Rehabilitation and Return to Playmedium

    What best determines readiness to return to sport after a hamstring strain?

    1. ATwo weeks having passed since the date of the injury
    2. BPain-free full-speed sprinting with matched strength
    3. CAbsence of tenderness when the hamstring is palpated
    4. DThe coach's wish to have the player available for selection
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Pain-free full-speed sprinting with matched strength

    Criteria-based progression, with function and strength close to the uninjured side, reduces reinjury. Time alone, palpation alone or team pressure are not reliable measures of tissue readiness.

    Reference: Brukner P, Khan K, Clinical Sports Medicine, 5th ed. (2017)

12. Question 12Therapeutic Modalities and Manual Therapyeasy

    Over which area is therapeutic ultrasound contraindicated?

    1. AOver a healing muscle contusion
    2. BOver a subacute ankle ligament
    3. COver a known malignancy
    4. DOver the shoulder muscle belly
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Over a known malignancy

    Therapeutic ultrasound is avoided over malignancy because of concern about tumour growth. A healing contusion, ligament or muscle belly are routine treatment sites, with attention to dosage.

    Reference: Kisner C, Colby LA, Therapeutic Exercise, 7th ed. (2017)

13. Question 13Rehabilitation and Return to Playmedium

    Before returning to cutting sport after ACL reconstruction, which strength and hop test result is commonly expected?

    1. AA limb symmetry index of 60% provided there is no swelling
    2. BPain-free walking and full range of movement
    3. CLimb symmetry index of 90% plus psychological readiness
    4. DNine months from surgery, whatever the test results show
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Limb symmetry index of 90% plus psychological readiness

    Return criteria such as 90% limb symmetry on strength and hop testing, plus psychological readiness, are linked to lower reinjury. Low symmetry, walking function alone or time alone do not show readiness.

    Reference: Grindem H et al., Br J Sports Med (2016): Simple decision rules can reduce reinjury risk after ACL reconstruction

14. Question 14Special Populations, Nutrition and Anti-Dopingmedium

    A female distance runner has amenorrhoea and a second stress fracture. Which condition should the therapist suspect?

    1. ALow energy availability within Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport
    2. BDelayed onset muscle soreness
    3. COvertraining from a lack of speed work
    4. DIron overload from supplements
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Low energy availability within Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

    Low energy availability disrupts menstrual and bone health, which is the core of RED-S. The other options do not explain amenorrhoea with bone stress injuries.

    Reference: Mountjoy M et al., IOC consensus statement on RED-S: 2018 update, Br J Sports Med (2018)

15. Question 15Special Populations, Nutrition and Anti-Dopingmedium

    An athlete needs a prohibited medication for a genuine illness. What is the correct process?

    1. AUsing it, then declaring it if a test is positive
    2. BApplying for a therapeutic use exemption beforehand
    3. CUsing a lower dose so as to stay under the threshold
    4. DLeaving the decision on its use to the athlete's coach
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Applying for a therapeutic use exemption beforehand

    Under the World Anti-Doping Code, an exemption must be granted before use, except in emergencies. Retrospective declaration, dose reduction and a coach's decision do not satisfy the rules.

    Reference: WADA, International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (2023)

Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.