Chapter 10: Strategies for Enhancing Instruction

Question 1

After class, a participant communicates that she is able to feel the difference when she squats correctly. She says she has been making adjustments during the day when she sits and rises from her work chair and is excited about her progress. Which of the following BEST describes this scenario?

a. An example of immediate feedback
b. An example of corrective feedback
c. An example of the instructor’s extrinsic feedback
d. An example of the participant’s intrinsic feedback

Answer 1

d. An example of the participant’s intrinsic feedback

Question 2

A barbell squat followed by an overhead press, or a grapevine followed by single-let hamstring curls are examples of what kind of transition?

a. matching
b. mending
c. patching

Answer 2

a. Matching: where one exercise ends, another starts

Question 3

Combining the hammer curl and step-up by having participants perform them at the same time is an example of which of the following types of transition?

a. Patching
b. Blending
c. Mending
d. Matching

Answer 3

c. Mending involves stringing two exercises/movements together and making them appear as one

Question 4

For rhythm-based movements, when should the GFI cue?

Answer 4

Ahead of the movement

Question 5

A group fitness instructor notices that participants have been having trouble picking up on the choreography in class. After reviewing the class plan and objectives and making adjustments, what would be the MOST appropriate next step?

a. Change the level of the class to intermediate to weed out beginner participants
b. Drop the class format from your schedule
c. Seek advice from a veteran colleague
d. Keep teaching the choreography until the participants are able to follow it

Answer 5

c. Colleagues are a great resource for seeking constructive feedback and enhancing your skills. GFIs learn from observing and working with other GFIs.

Question 6

True or False: Hyperextended knees, which can be observed from the lateral view, can cause decreased blood flow to and from the legs.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

“Lunges are transferable to activities of daily living. For example, consider climbing steps, getting up off the floor, or getting in and out of your car. Bodyweight lunges help you master your own body weight so you can perform these activities efficiently.” This is an example of which strategy for class education?

a. Form
b. Function
c. Fit
d. Performance

Answer 7

d. Performance strategy - focuses on the performance

benefits of an exercise or class

Question 8

A participant adjusts their form while performing bodyweight squats after hearing the instructor tell the class, “Your knees should stay in line with your toes throughout the movement, and you should feel the glutes activate to push back to the standing position.” What type of feedback cued the participant to correct
their form?
a. An example of immediate feedback
b. An example of corrective feedback
c. An example of the instructor’s extrinsic feedback
d. An example of the participant’s intrinsic feedback

Answer 8

d. An example of the participant’s intrinsic feedback

Question 9

Performing a burpee with a push-up, knees tuck in to stand, and then a jump is an example of what kind of transition?

a. matching
b. mending
c. patching

Answer 9

c. Patching: performing an additional movement between

2 exercises or movements for a seamless transition

Question 10

Rhythm is defined as the _____ of the movement?

Answer 10

tempo

Question 11

“Since squats are a movement pattern that we perform in our everyday lives, they serve the purpose of training the body to move more efficiently. For example, bracing the core helps to stabilize the lumbar spine, reducing the potential for developing low-back issues later down the road.” This is an example of which strategy for class education?

a. Form
b. Function
c. Fit
d. Performance

Answer 11

c. Function

Question 12

“Start with feet hip-width apart to create a solid base of support. Keeping the core engaged, initiate the movement by hinging at the hips.” This is an example of which strategy for class education?

a. Form
b. Function
c. Fit
d. Performance

Answer 12

a. Form

Question 13

This is a multijoint exercise involving multiple
muscles. It primarily targets the quadriceps,
hamstrings, and glutes. This is an example of
which strategy for class education?
a. Form
b. Function
c. Fit
d. Performance

Answer 13

c. Fit (target muscles)

Question 14

What is the MOST appropriate response for a GFI to make after receiving feedback from participants about their dislike of the music played during a branded indoor cycling class?

a. Suggest they bring headphones and their own music.
b. Create your own playlist for the next class.
c. Explain that the class requires the use of specific music.
d. Discontinue the use of the music during the class.

Answer 14

c. Explain that the class requires the use of specific music.

Question 15

What is the PRIMARY benefit a GFI receives from attending other instructors’ group fitness classes?
a. Investigating if any of the GFI’s former participants
are taking the new class.
b. Completing the GFI’s own workout without having to teach.
c. Recruiting new participants to attend the GFI’s class.
d. Gathering new ideas and instructional methods.

Answer 15

d. Gathering new ideas and instructional methods.

Question 16

What would be the BEST option for a GFI to use to
provide effective feedback to participants?
a. Guide them to perform in a manner that meets the
instructor’s and other participants’ abilities.
b. Hold feedback until after class to allow the GFI time
to better critique performance.
c. Encourage participants to give each other feedback
to create a supportive group environment.
d. Provide participants with immediate feedback about
their performance on exercises and movements

Answer 16

d. Provide participants with immediate feedback about

their performance on exercises and movements

Question 17

Which is the BEST cue?

a. Don’t let the knees lock out.
b. Keep a slight bend in the knees at all times.
c. Don’t round your back
d. Be careful not to hinge at the waist.

Answer 17

b. Keep a slight bend in the knees at all times. Avoid using the word “don’t”

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of enhancing instruction?
a. Educating participants on why certain exercises are selected
b. Providing the entire class with one central and shared goal
c. Using loud verbal cues to motivate participants to
increase exertion
d. The instructor staying in one location throughout the
entire class to enhance cues

Answer 18

a. Educating participants on why certain exercises are selected

Question 19

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate way to solicit feedback from participants?
a. Encourage them to post comments on social media
b. Prepare and handout a quarterly survey to all participants
c. In the closing statement, ask participants if they have
any concerns
d. Ask that all comments and concerns go directly to
the management

Answer 19

b. Prepare and handout a quarterly survey to all participants

Instructors should always solicit feedback from participants in order to create enjoyable experiences. Not all participants are comfortable addressing concerns in a group manner or individually with the instructor. Providing a regular opportunity for participants to provide feedback, whether it is about the facility, class, or instructor, is important.

Question 20

Which of the following options would provide a “patch” between the squat and overhead press during a group fitness class?
a. Add a hammer curl between the squat and
overhead press
b. Reverse the order of the exercises
c. Replace the squat with a reverse lunge
d. Perform three squats followed by three overhead
presses

Answer 20

a. Add a hammer curl between the squat and

overhead press

Question 21

Which of the following solutions is MOST appropriate when a participant tells the instructor after class that the music was louder than normal?
a. Explain that the instructor of the previous class must have adjusted it
b. Be sure to double-check the audio settings before the next class
c. Inform the participant that louder music motivates
participants
d. Ensure the participant that the song list will not be used again

Answer 21

b. Be sure to double-check the audio settings before the next class

Question 22

Which response BEST describes effective feedback given by a group fitness instructor during an exercise class?
a. A general statement relating to the performance of the previous set of an exercise
b. A statement filled with specific information about a
participant’s performance
c. A suggestion that the preceding exercise sequence seemed challenging and that it will be repeated in the next class
d. A statement that lets the participant know how pleased the instructor is with the overall class performance

Answer 22

b. A statement filled with specific information about a
participant’s performance

In general, feedback should be informational rather than controlling. It should be based on performance standards and be specific and immediate. Statements such as “nice work” may provide motivation, but they do not relay specific feedback. A GFI should always provide feedback in real-time to offer a safe and effective class experience.

Question 23

Your student has performed an exercise and you
provide helpful feedback. Feedback should do all of the following, except:
a. Provide reinforcement for what was done well
b. Critique every detail of the movement
c. Correct errors
d. Motivate students to continue practicing and
improving

Answer 23

b. Critique every detail of the movement

The GFI should keep the feedback to a few simple points in order to not overload students.
Start with the most important correction first and fine-tune the movement as students progress.