ACSM ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which muscle is most commonly overactive and contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?
- Gluteus maximus
- Hip flexors (iliopsoas) (Correct answer)
- Hamstrings
- Tibialis anterior
Correct answer: Hip flexors (iliopsoas)
Tight hip flexors pull the pelvis anteriorly, creating an increased lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt.
Question 2: When assessing the overhead squat, knees caving inward (valgus) most likely indicates weakness in which muscle group?
- Hip adductors
- Hip abductors and external rotators (Correct answer)
- Plantar flexors
- Lumbar extensors
Correct answer: Hip abductors and external rotators
Weak hip abductors and external rotators fail to control femoral internal rotation and adduction, causing knee valgus.
Question 3: In the ACSM corrective exercise continuum, which phase involves static and active stretching of overactive muscles?
- Phase 1 – Inhibit
- Phase 2 – Lengthen (Correct answer)
- Phase 3 – Activate
- Phase 4 – Integrate
Correct answer: Phase 2 – Lengthen
The Lengthen phase uses static stretching and neuromuscular stretching to increase flexibility of overactive tissues.
Question 4: A client demonstrates excessive forward trunk lean during an overhead squat. Which underactive muscle pair most likely needs strengthening?
- Gastrocnemius and soleus
- Anterior tibialis and peroneals
- Gluteus maximus and thoracic extensors (Correct answer)
- Hip flexors and lumbar extensors
Correct answer: Gluteus maximus and thoracic extensors
Weak gluteus maximus and thoracic extensors prevent the client from maintaining an upright torso during the squat.
Question 5: Which stretching technique involves a 30-second hold and is used in the Lengthen phase of the corrective exercise continuum?
- Dynamic stretching
- Ballistic stretching
- PNF contract-relax
- Static stretching (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Static stretching
Static stretching with a 30-second hold is the primary technique used in the Lengthen phase to increase muscle flexibility.
Question 6: Excessive pronation of the foot during gait is most associated with which compensatory pattern further up the kinetic chain?
- Hip external rotation
- Knee valgus (Correct answer)
- Anterior pelvic tilt reduction
- Lumbar flexion
Correct answer: Knee valgus
Foot pronation causes tibial internal rotation, which contributes to femoral internal rotation and knee valgus collapse.
Question 7: Which assessment best evaluates movement asymmetries and compensations in a dynamic, functional context?
- Goniometry
- Overhead squat assessment (Correct answer)
- Sit-and-reach test
- Blood pressure measurement
Correct answer: Overhead squat assessment
The overhead squat assessment is a functional movement screen that reveals compensation patterns throughout the entire kinetic chain.
ACSM ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 2
Which muscle is most commonly overactive and contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?