ACSM ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Lower crossed syndrome is characterized by which pattern of muscle imbalances?
- Tight hip flexors and lumbar extensors; weak gluteals and abdominals (Correct answer)
- Tight hamstrings and gluteals; weak hip flexors and lumbar extensors
- Tight abdominals and hip adductors; weak hip abductors and extensors
- Tight quadriceps and tibialis anterior; weak plantar flexors and hamstrings
Correct answer: Tight hip flexors and lumbar extensors; weak gluteals and abdominals
Lower crossed syndrome involves overactive hip flexors/lumbar extensors and underactive gluteals/abdominals causing anterior pelvic tilt.
Question 2: Which corrective exercise progression is most appropriate for an initial session with a client who has poor hip mobility and weak glutes?
- Barbell back squat → Romanian deadlift → single-leg press
- Hip flexor foam roll → kneeling hip flexor stretch → glute bridge (Correct answer)
- Leg press → leg extension → leg curl
- Box jump → broad jump → sprint intervals
Correct answer: Hip flexor foam roll → kneeling hip flexor stretch → glute bridge
Beginning with foam rolling and stretching to inhibit and lengthen overactive hip flexors, then activating the glutes, follows the corrective continuum.
Question 3: The 'joint-by-joint' concept suggests that the lumbar spine should primarily function as which type of joint?
- Highly mobile in all planes
- Stable with limited mobility (Correct answer)
- Mobile in the frontal plane only
- Equally mobile and stable
Correct answer: Stable with limited mobility
According to the joint-by-joint approach, the lumbar spine is designed for stability, while the thoracic spine and hips provide mobility.
Question 4: A client displays arching of the low back (lumbar extension) during an overhead press. The BEST corrective strategy targets which area first?
- Foam roll the thoracic spine and stretch the lats before pressing (Correct answer)
- Strengthen the lumbar extensors with hyperextensions
- Apply a lumbar support belt during pressing
- Increase the load to build spinal stability
Correct answer: Foam roll the thoracic spine and stretch the lats before pressing
Limited thoracic mobility and tight lats force lumbar hyperextension during overhead movements, so releasing these first is the corrective priority.
Question 5: Which assessment finding during a pulling movement (seated row) indicates overactivity of the upper trapezius?
- Excessive scapular retraction
- Shoulder elevation during the pull (Correct answer)
- Elbow flaring outward
- Wrist extension at end range
Correct answer: Shoulder elevation during the pull
An overactive upper trapezius causes the shoulder to shrug upward during pulling movements instead of proper scapular depression and retraction.
Question 6: Which stretching modality uses a 7–10 second isometric contraction followed by passive elongation to achieve greater ROM gains?
- Static stretching
- Dynamic stretching
- PNF contract-relax stretching (Correct answer)
- Ballistic stretching
Correct answer: PNF contract-relax stretching
PNF contract-relax stretching leverages post-isometric relaxation and reciprocal inhibition to achieve greater increases in range of motion.
Question 7: A corrective exercise specialist observes a client's heel rising off the floor during the overhead squat. The FIRST corrective priority is to address which structure?
- Quadriceps tightness
- Hip flexor tightness
- Gastrocnemius/soleus tightness (Correct answer)
- Hamstring weakness
Correct answer: Gastrocnemius/soleus tightness
Heel rise during a squat most commonly indicates restricted ankle dorsiflexion due to tight gastrocnemius and/or soleus.
ACSM ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 4
Lower crossed syndrome is characterized by which pattern of muscle imbalances?