Final answer:
The examiner during a PPE assesses neuromuscular control, proprioception, balance, and musculoskeletal health with the duck walk. This diagnostic maneuver helps identify issues like ataxia or neurological dysfunctions which warrant further investigation or treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a Pre-Participation Physical Examination (PPE), the examiner looks for signs of neuromuscular control, proprioception, balance, and overall musculoskeletal health when a patient performs the duck walk. The duck walk is a specific maneuver that involves the patient squatting down and walking in this position, which requires good knee and hip strength, as well as balance and coordination. In performing this task, the examiner is observing the patient's ability to carry out a complex motor task that requires both motor and sensory neurological functions to work in harmony.
Such a movement assesses various aspects of physical functionality, which may include gait, the muscular strength of the lower extremities, joint range of motion, and potential joint abnormalities. Tasks like the tandem gait, walking on heels or toes, and the duck walk itself are all components that can help identify issues such as ataxia or other neuromuscular disorders. The presence of symptoms like difficulty in performing these tasks or abnormal movements can alert the examiner to potential underlying conditions that may need further investigation or intervention.
The actual clinical evaluation may also involve assessing verbal instruction comprehension, response to sensory input, and simple motor tasks such as facial movements and limb resistance. These findings could indicate sensory systems' deficits and establish the presence of neurological conditions, leading to further testing like a CT scan or the start of therapeutics such as aspirin to prevent complications like blood clots.