NASM Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the overhead squat assessment, the client's feet turn outward. Which muscles are most likely overactive?
- Lateral gastrocnemius and biceps femoris (short head) (Correct answer)
- Medial gastrocnemius and gluteus medius
- Anterior tibialis and soleus
- Adductor complex and psoas
Correct answer: Lateral gastrocnemius and biceps femoris (short head)
Feet turning out signals overactive lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, and biceps femoris short head.
Question 2: A client's arms fall forward during the overhead squat assessment. Which muscles are likely underactive?
- Mid and lower trapezius, rhomboids, rotator cuff (Correct answer)
- Pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi
- Anterior deltoid and upper trapezius
- Teres major and subscapularis
Correct answer: Mid and lower trapezius, rhomboids, rotator cuff
Arms falling forward indicates underactive mid/lower traps, rhomboids, and rotator cuff.
Question 3: What does an excessive forward lean of the torso during the overhead squat most commonly indicate?
- Overactive soleus, gastrocnemius, and hip flexor complex (Correct answer)
- Overactive erector spinae only
- Underactive abdominals and gluteus maximus exclusively
- Overactive quadriceps and adductors
Correct answer: Overactive soleus, gastrocnemius, and hip flexor complex
Forward torso lean reflects overactive calves and hip flexors with underactive glutes and core.
Question 4: Which assessment is used to evaluate a client's static posture relative to the postural distortion patterns?
- Kinetic chain checkpoint observation from anterior, lateral, and posterior views (Correct answer)
- Davies test
- Shark skill test
- Rockport walk test
Correct answer: Kinetic chain checkpoint observation from anterior, lateral, and posterior views
Static postural assessment observes the kinetic chain checkpoints from multiple views.
Question 5: Lower crossed syndrome is characterized by which postural distortion?
- Anterior pelvic tilt with increased lumbar lordosis (Correct answer)
- Forward head and rounded shoulders
- Excessive knee valgus
- Posterior pelvic tilt with flat back
Correct answer: Anterior pelvic tilt with increased lumbar lordosis
Lower crossed syndrome features anterior pelvic tilt and excessive lumbar lordosis.
Question 6: The knees move inward (adduct and internally rotate) during the overhead squat. Which muscles are likely overactive?
- Adductor complex, biceps femoris, TFL, vastus lateralis (Correct answer)
- Gluteus medius and gluteus maximus
- Posterior tibialis and soleus
- Anterior tibialis and rectus femoris
Correct answer: Adductor complex, biceps femoris, TFL, vastus lateralis
Knees moving inward indicate overactive adductors, biceps femoris, TFL, and vastus lateralis.
Question 7: When the knees move inward during the squat, which muscles are most likely underactive?
- Gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and VMO (Correct answer)
- Adductor longus and gracilis
- Tensor fasciae latae
- Biceps femoris short head
Correct answer: Gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and VMO
Underactive glute medius/maximus and VMO allow the knees to cave inward.
NASM Assessment 2
During the overhead squat assessment, the client's feet turn outward.
Which muscles are most likely overactive?