FREE NSCA-CPT Corrective Exercise Questions and Answers

Question 1

"Programming by a fitness professional that focuses on correcting movement dysfunctions such as excessive knee valgus, knee rotation, hip adduction, and hip rotation, as well as improving single-leg neuromuscular balance and muscle strength, can help reduce the risk of what severe knee injury?

Accepted Answer

ACL tear/rupture

Answer

The described movement dysfunctions—excessive knee valgus (knees caving in), rotation, and hip adduction—are common risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, especially during dynamic movements like jumping, landing, and cutting. Corrective exercise focusing on neuromuscular control, balance, and strength can significantly reduce the likelihood of these non-contact ACL tears. Strengthening the muscles around the knee and hip helps stabilize the joint and prevent harmful movements, making ACL tear/rupture the most relevant severe knee injury.

Question 2

During the assessment process, a client displays excessive wrist flexion. What would be a good activity to perform after inhibiting the wrist flexors?

Accepted Answer

Stretch the wrist flexors

Answer

The corrective exercise continuum typically involves inhibiting overactive muscles, lengthening them, activating underactive muscles, and then integrating them into functional movements. If a client has excessive wrist flexion, the wrist flexors are likely overactive and shortened. After inhibiting them (e.g., with foam rolling), the next logical and crucial step is to stretch these muscles to improve their length and flexibility, thereby reducing the excessive flexion.

Question 3

What are common underactive/lengthened lower-body muscles?

Accepted Answer

Rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior, and peroneals

Answer

In common postural distortions, certain muscles become underactive or lengthened, contributing to imbalances. The rectus abdominis can be lengthened in lordosis, the gluteus maximus is often underactive in hip extension dysfunction, and the tibialis anterior and peroneals can be underactive in conditions like pronation distortion syndrome, affecting ankle stability and foot mechanics. These muscles often require specific activation and strengthening exercises to restore proper function and balance.

Question 4

Typically, a client with an Achilles tendon injury will exhibit weakness in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Gastrocnemius

Answer

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles, primarily the gastrocnemius and soleus, to the heel bone. An injury to the Achilles tendon, such as tendinopathy or a rupture, directly impacts the function of these muscles, leading to weakness in plantarflexion. Therefore, weakness in the gastrocnemius, the primary plantarflexor, is a direct consequence and indicator of Achilles tendon issues, as its ability to generate force is compromised.

Question 5

Which instruction would correctly assist a client in performing static stretching of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM)?

Accepted Answer

"Place your right arm to your side and then use your left hand to help sidebend your neck to the left."

Answer

The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle on the right side primarily flexes, sidebends the neck to the right, and rotates the head to the left. To stretch the right SCM, you need to perform the opposite actions: extend the neck, sidebend to the left, and rotate to the right. The instruction 'sidebend your neck to the left' effectively stretches the right SCM by moving the head away from the muscle's attachment point, elongating its fibers.

NSCA-CPT Exam Practice Test

NSCA-CPT Exam Practice Test

FREE NSCA-CPT Corrective Exercise Questions and Answers