ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which assessment best identifies faulty movement patterns related to the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex?
- Overhead squat assessment (OHSA) (Correct answer)
- Shark skill test
- Pro-agility test
- Push-up test
Correct answer: Overhead squat assessment (OHSA)
The overhead squat assessment reveals compensation patterns in the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex by observing movement in all three planes simultaneously.
Question 2: A client displays forward head posture during the OHSA. Which muscle pair is most likely overactive?
- Deep cervical flexors and rhomboids
- Upper trapezius and levator scapulae (Correct answer)
- Serratus anterior and middle trapezius
- Pectoralis major and subscapularis
Correct answer: Upper trapezius and levator scapulae
Forward head posture is typically driven by overactive upper trapezius and levator scapulae pulling the cervical spine into extension and elevation.
Question 3: In corrective exercise, the term 'synergistic dominance' refers to:
- A prime mover compensating for a weak agonist
- A synergist compensating for a weak prime mover (Correct answer)
- Two muscles co-contracting to produce force
- A muscle acting concentrically when it should act eccentrically
Correct answer: A synergist compensating for a weak prime mover
Synergistic dominance occurs when a synergist muscle takes over the role of a weak or inhibited prime mover, often creating additional movement dysfunction.
Question 4: Which corrective exercise is most appropriate to activate the deep cervical flexors as an isolated strengthening exercise?
- Chin tuck (Correct answer)
- Neck side bend with resistance
- Supine cervical rotation stretch
- Upper trapezius stretch
Correct answer: Chin tuck
The chin tuck exercise directly activates the longus colli and longus capitis (deep cervical flexors) while inhibiting the superficial cervical extensors.
Question 5: Excessive forward lean of the torso during the overhead squat assessment primarily indicates tightness in which structure?
- Hip abductors
- Thoracic extensors
- Gastrocnemius/soleus complex (Correct answer)
- Tibialis posterior
Correct answer: Gastrocnemius/soleus complex
Restricted ankle dorsiflexion from a tight gastrocnemius/soleus complex forces forward trunk lean to maintain balance during a squat.
Question 6: Which ACSM-aligned corrective strategy targets reciprocal inhibition to relax an overactive muscle?
- Activating the antagonist muscle isometrically (Correct answer)
- Applying heat to the overactive muscle
- Passive stretching of the agonist only
- Increasing time under tension for the agonist
Correct answer: Activating the antagonist muscle isometrically
Activating the antagonist muscle triggers reciprocal inhibition, neurologically reducing tone in the overactive agonist muscle.
Question 7: Which exercise progression best follows corrective activation of the gluteus medius?
- Clamshell → side-lying hip abduction → lateral band walk → single-leg squat (Correct answer)
- Single-leg squat → clamshell → side-lying hip abduction → lateral band walk
- Lateral band walk → clamshell → single-leg squat → side-lying hip abduction
- Side-lying hip abduction → single-leg squat → clamshell → lateral band walk
Correct answer: Clamshell → side-lying hip abduction → lateral band walk → single-leg squat
Corrective progressions move from isolated, low-load exercises (clamshell) to integrated, functional movements (single-leg squat) to ensure motor pattern transfer.
ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 3
Which assessment best identifies faulty movement patterns related to the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex?