PAS Muscle Imbalance Correction 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Reciprocal inhibition in the context of muscle imbalance refers to which phenomenon?
- A tight muscle actively stretches its antagonist
- Neural inhibition of an antagonist when its agonist contracts (Correct answer)
- Both muscles in a pair contracting simultaneously
- The nervous system preventing overstretching via reflexes
Correct answer: Neural inhibition of an antagonist when its agonist contracts
Reciprocal inhibition is the neurological process where activation of an agonist causes reflex inhibition of the antagonist, which contributes to weakness in underactive muscles.
Question 2: Which finding during a static postural assessment suggests overactivity of the adductor complex?
- Feet externally rotated
- Knees bowed outward (varus)
- Foot pronation and knee valgus (Correct answer)
- Posterior pelvic tilt
Correct answer: Foot pronation and knee valgus
Adductor overactivity contributes to femoral internal rotation and adduction, producing knee valgus and compensatory foot pronation.
Question 3: In upper crossed syndrome, which two muscles are typically overactive?
- Lower trapezius and serratus anterior
- Upper trapezius and pectoralis minor (Correct answer)
- Rhomboids and middle trapezius
- Deep cervical flexors and thoracic erectors
Correct answer: Upper trapezius and pectoralis minor
Upper crossed syndrome features overactivity of the upper trapezius and pectoralis minor, creating rounded shoulders and forward head posture.
Question 4: A client shows excessive trunk lean to one side during a single-leg squat. Which muscle group is most likely underactive on the stance leg?
- Hip adductors
- Hip flexors
- Hip abductors and gluteus medius (Correct answer)
- Gastrocnemius
Correct answer: Hip abductors and gluteus medius
Trendelenburg-like trunk lean during single-leg stance indicates weakness of the hip abductors and gluteus medius on the weight-bearing side.
Question 5: Which inhibition technique is used in the Inhibit phase of the corrective exercise continuum?
- Foam rolling and static compression (Correct answer)
- Ballistic stretching
- Eccentric loading
- Plyometric exercises
Correct answer: Foam rolling and static compression
Self-myofascial release (foam rolling and static pressure) is used in the Inhibit phase to reduce neural drive to overactive muscles.
Question 6: Altered length-tension relationships due to muscle imbalance most directly affect which performance variable?
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Muscle force production (Correct answer)
- Bone mineral density
- Flexibility gains over time
Correct answer: Muscle force production
When a muscle is shortened or lengthened beyond its optimal length, it cannot generate peak force, directly reducing force production capacity.
Question 7: A postural assessment reveals excessive lumbar lordosis with a flat thoracic spine. Which region would the PAS specialist prioritize mobilizing?
- Cervical spine
- Thoracic spine (Correct answer)
- Sacroiliac joint
- Ankle joint
Correct answer: Thoracic spine
Thoracic spine mobility should be prioritized when thoracic kyphosis is reduced or flat, as restricted thoracic extension contributes to compensatory lumbar overload.
PAS Muscle Imbalance Correction 3
Reciprocal inhibition in the context of muscle imbalance refers to which phenomenon?