Corrective Exercise Specialist Flashcards

Which muscle is most commonly overactive and contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?

Answer: Hip flexor complex (iliopsoas)

The hip flexor complex, particularly the iliopsoas, is commonly overactive and pulls the pelvis anteriorly, contributing to anterior pelvic tilt.

During a single-leg squat assessment, excessive knee valgus is primarily associated with weakness in which muscle?

Answer: Gluteus medius

Gluteus medius weakness fails to stabilize the hip in the frontal plane, allowing the femur to adduct and internally rotate, causing knee valgus.

Which flexibility technique uses the principle of autogenic inhibition to relax a tight muscle?

Answer: Self-myofascial release

Self-myofascial release (foam rolling) applies sustained pressure to stimulate the Golgi tendon organ, triggering autogenic inhibition and muscle relaxation.

What is the recommended hold time for static stretching of an overactive muscle in corrective exercise programming?

Answer: 20–30 seconds

Static stretches should be held for 20–30 seconds to allow the Golgi tendon organ to facilitate sufficient muscle relaxation.

In the NASM Corrective Exercise Continuum, which phase immediately follows inhibitory techniques?

Answer: Lengthening

The four-phase continuum progresses from Inhibit → Lengthen → Activate → Integrate, so lengthening techniques follow inhibitory work.

Overactivation of the upper trapezius during a shoulder overhead press assessment most likely indicates underactivity of which muscle?

Answer: Serratus anterior

When the serratus anterior is underactive, the upper trapezius compensates to upwardly rotate the scapula, leading to elevation and neck tension.

Which gait deviation is associated with overactive hip flexors and underactive gluteus maximus?

Answer: Anterior pelvic tilt during walking

Overactive hip flexors combined with underactive gluteus maximus create a muscle imbalance that maintains an anterior pelvic tilt throughout the gait cycle.