NASM Corrective Exercise and Flexibility Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is reciprocal inhibition in the context of NASM corrective exercise?
- A muscle contracting to produce movement
- An overactive muscle being inhibited by its antagonist (Correct answer)
- Autogenic relaxation of the agonist
- Neural drive increasing motor unit recruitment
Correct answer: An overactive muscle being inhibited by its antagonist
Reciprocal inhibition occurs when an overactive agonist neurologically inhibits its antagonist, creating an imbalance corrective exercise seeks to fix.
Question 2: Which NASM assessment would best reveal lower extremity movement compensations such as knee valgus?
- Pushing assessment
- Overhead squat assessment (OHSA) (Correct answer)
- Pulling assessment
- Single-leg balance test
Correct answer: Overhead squat assessment (OHSA)
The overhead squat assessment (OHSA) is NASM's primary functional movement screen for identifying lower-extremity, LPHC, and upper-body compensations.
Question 3: Static stretching held for how long is recommended by NASM to achieve neurological relaxation of a muscle?
- 5–10 seconds
- 15–20 seconds
- 30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60–90 seconds
Correct answer: 30 seconds
NASM recommends holding static stretches for at least 30 seconds to adequately stimulate the Golgi tendon organ and allow muscle relaxation.
Question 4: Which underactive muscle is most often associated with knee valgus during a squat?
- Adductor magnus
- Gluteus medius (Correct answer)
- Vastus lateralis
- Soleus
Correct answer: Gluteus medius
A weak or underactive gluteus medius fails to control hip abduction, allowing the knee to collapse inward (valgus) during squatting.
Question 5: What phase of the Corrective Exercise Continuum focuses on activating underactive muscles with isolated exercises?
- Inhibit
- Lengthen
- Activate (Correct answer)
- Integrate
Correct answer: Activate
The Activate phase uses isolated strengthening exercises (e.g., floor cobras, side-lying clams) to target and recruit underactive muscles.
Question 6: Forward head posture is commonly associated with overactivity in which muscle?
- Deep cervical flexors
- Levator scapulae (Correct answer)
- Rhomboids
- Middle trapezius
Correct answer: Levator scapulae
The levator scapulae is a common overactive muscle contributing to forward head posture and upper crossed syndrome.
NASM Corrective Exercise and Flexibility Training 2
What is reciprocal inhibition in the context of NASM corrective exercise?