PRC Postural Assessment & Biomechanical Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a PRI postural assessment, a patient demonstrates a left AIC pattern. Which combination of findings is most consistent with this presentation?
- Right stance, left swing, left forward shaft femur (Correct answer)
- Left stance, right swing, right forward shaft femur
- Right stance, left swing, right forward shaft femur
- Bilateral stance with symmetric femoral positioning
Correct answer: Right stance, left swing, left forward shaft femur
The Left AIC pattern is characterized by right stance (right AF IR), left swing (left AF ER), and a left forward-positioned femur shaft due to left ilial anterior rotation.
Question 2: Which muscle is considered the primary driver of the left AIC (Anterior Interior Chain) pattern according to PRI principles?
- Right gluteus maximus
- Left iliopsoas (Correct answer)
- Right iliacus
- Left tensor fascia latae
Correct answer: Left iliopsoas
The left iliopsoas is considered the primary driver of the Left AIC pattern as its overactivity pulls the left innominate into anterior rotation and left femur into internal rotation.
Question 3: A PRI-trained clinician observes that a patient cannot perform a left Adduction Drop Test. What does this suggest about the left hip?
- Left hip abductors are overactive
- Left hip cannot achieve abduction and external rotation simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Left hip adductors are inhibited
- Left hip is locked in flexion
Correct answer: Left hip cannot achieve abduction and external rotation simultaneously
Failure of the left Adduction Drop Test suggests the left hip cannot achieve the combined position of abduction with external rotation, indicating loss of left hip socket positioning.
Question 4: In PRI biomechanical analysis, what is the significance of the 'zone of apposition' (ZOA) of the diaphragm?
- It refers to the portion of the diaphragm in direct contact with the inner lower rib cage (Correct answer)
- It describes the area of the diaphragm that attaches to the spine
- It is the central tendon attachment site
- It represents the crural fibers of the diaphragm only
Correct answer: It refers to the portion of the diaphragm in direct contact with the inner lower rib cage
The ZOA refers to the portion of the diaphragm that lies in direct apposition to the inner lower rib cage, and an optimal ZOA is necessary for proper intra-abdominal pressure and thoracic mechanics.
Question 5: When assessing the Right Brachial Chain (BC) pattern, which thoracic and rib cage finding would the clinician expect?
- Left thoracic rotation with left rib flare
- Right thoracic rotation with right rib flare and left rib depression (Correct answer)
- Symmetric thoracic rotation with bilateral rib flare
- Left thoracic rotation with bilateral rib depression
Correct answer: Right thoracic rotation with right rib flare and left rib depression
The Right BC pattern presents with right thoracic rotation, right-sided rib flare, and left rib depression due to the influence of the right brachial chain pulling the thorax rightward.
Question 6: During postural assessment, a clinician notes the patient's right ASIS is lower than the left and the right PSIS is higher than the left. What pelvic pattern does this describe?
- Right posterior ilial rotation
- Right anterior ilial rotation (Correct answer)
- Left anterior ilial rotation
- Bilateral anterior pelvic tilt
Correct answer: Right anterior ilial rotation
A lower ASIS and higher PSIS on the right side indicates the right innominate has rotated anteriorly (right anterior ilial rotation).
Question 7: According to PRI principles, why is the right hemidiaphragm considered biomechanically advantageous compared to the left?
- It has more muscle fiber attachments to the spine
- It sits higher due to liver support, providing greater ZOA and mechanical advantage (Correct answer)
- It has a larger central tendon
- It has direct attachment to the right ilium
Correct answer: It sits higher due to liver support, providing greater ZOA and mechanical advantage
The right hemidiaphragm sits higher because the liver supports it, giving it a larger zone of apposition and greater mechanical advantage for generating intra-abdominal pressure.
PRC Postural Assessment & Biomechanical Analysis 2
During a PRI postural assessment, a patient demonstrates a left AIC pattern.
Which combination of findings is most consistent with this presentation?