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 flexor complex (iliopsoas) (Correct answer)
- Hamstrings
- Tibialis anterior
Correct 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.
Question 2: During a single-leg squat assessment, excessive knee valgus is primarily associated with weakness in which muscle?
- Soleus
- Gluteus medius (Correct answer)
- Vastus lateralis
- Adductor magnus
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which flexibility technique uses the principle of autogenic inhibition to relax a tight muscle?
- Dynamic stretching
- Ballistic stretching
- Self-myofascial release (Correct answer)
- Active-isolated stretching
Correct answer: Self-myofascial release
Self-myofascial release (foam rolling) applies sustained pressure to stimulate the Golgi tendon organ, triggering autogenic inhibition and muscle relaxation.
Question 4: What is the recommended hold time for static stretching of an overactive muscle in corrective exercise programming?
- 5–10 seconds
- 10–15 seconds
- 20–30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60–90 seconds
Correct answer: 20–30 seconds
Static stretches should be held for 20–30 seconds to allow the Golgi tendon organ to facilitate sufficient muscle relaxation.
Question 5: In the NASM Corrective Exercise Continuum, which phase immediately follows inhibitory techniques?
- Integration
- Strengthening
- Lengthening (Correct answer)
- Stabilization
Correct answer: Lengthening
The four-phase continuum progresses from Inhibit → Lengthen → Activate → Integrate, so lengthening techniques follow inhibitory work.
Question 6: Overactivation of the upper trapezius during a shoulder overhead press assessment most likely indicates underactivity of which muscle?
- Pectoralis minor
- Serratus anterior (Correct answer)
- Levator scapulae
- Sternocleidomastoid
Correct answer: Serratus anterior
When the serratus anterior is underactive, the upper trapezius compensates to upwardly rotate the scapula, leading to elevation and neck tension.
Question 7: Which gait deviation is associated with overactive hip flexors and underactive gluteus maximus?
- Excessive supination
- Trunk lateral flexion (Trendelenburg)
- Anterior pelvic tilt during walking (Correct answer)
- Foot slap
Correct 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.
ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 2
Which muscle is most commonly overactive and contributing to anterior pelvic tilt?