ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which foot and ankle compensation during the OHSA indicates overactivity of the gastrocnemius and soleus?
- Foot supination
- Heel rise (Correct answer)
- Toe-out flare
- Medial arch collapse
Correct answer: Heel rise
When the gastrocnemius/soleus is overactive and limits ankle dorsiflexion, the heels rise off the ground during the squat to compensate.
Question 2: A client presents with arms falling forward during the OHSA. Which muscle pair is most likely underactive?
- Anterior deltoid and biceps brachii
- Middle and lower trapezius with rotator cuff (Correct answer)
- Pectoralis major and pectoralis minor
- Latissimus dorsi and teres major
Correct answer: Middle and lower trapezius with rotator cuff
Arms falling forward indicates the thoracic extensors and shoulder external rotators (mid/lower trapezius, rotator cuff) are underactive and cannot maintain overhead position.
Question 3: In ACSM corrective exercise programming, which type of strengthening exercise involves the neuromuscular system in a functionally integrated pattern?
- Isolated strength exercise
- Integration exercise (Correct answer)
- Stabilization exercise
- Mobility exercise
Correct answer: Integration exercise
Integration exercises train the neuromuscular system in multiplanar, functional movement patterns that mirror real-world activities.
Question 4: Which assessment is used to identify movement impairments specific to the upper extremity push pattern?
- Overhead squat assessment
- Pushing assessment (Correct answer)
- Gait analysis
- Single-leg squat assessment
Correct answer: Pushing assessment
The pushing assessment specifically evaluates compensation patterns during horizontal push movements, revealing shoulder and thoracic dysfunction.
Question 5: Which muscle imbalance most directly contributes to shoulder impingement syndrome in overhead athletes?
- Overactive lower trapezius, underactive upper trapezius
- Overactive serratus anterior, underactive pectoralis minor
- Overactive upper trapezius and pectoralis minor, underactive lower trapezius and serratus anterior (Correct answer)
- Overactive rotator cuff, underactive deltoid
Correct answer: Overactive upper trapezius and pectoralis minor, underactive lower trapezius and serratus anterior
Overactive upper trapezius and pectoralis minor combined with underactive lower trapezius and serratus anterior reduce subacromial space and contribute to impingement.
Question 6: During foam rolling (SMR), sustained pressure should be applied to a tender spot for at least how long to achieve adequate tissue release?
- 5–10 seconds
- 10–15 seconds
- 30–90 seconds (Correct answer)
- 2–3 minutes
Correct answer: 30–90 seconds
Sustained pressure of 30–90 seconds on a tender spot allows the GTO to generate autogenic inhibition and reduce muscle spindle activity.
Question 7: Which movement compensation is associated with overactive adductors and underactive abductors during a squat?
- Hip external rotation
- Knee varus
- Knee valgus (Correct answer)
- Lumbar extension
Correct answer: Knee valgus
Overactive adductors pull the femur into adduction and internal rotation while underactive abductors fail to counteract, resulting in knee valgus collapse.
ACSM Corrective Exercise Specialist 4
Which foot and ankle compensation during the OHSA indicates overactivity of the gastrocnemius and soleus?