Chapter 12 - Posture, Movement, and Performance Assessments

Question 1

When muscles on each side of a joint have altered length-tension relationships.

Answer 1

Muscle imbalance

Question 2

An assessment that challenges the upper extremities and trunk during a pulling movement to identify movement impairments and potential muscle imbalances.

Answer 2

Pulling assessment

Question 3

A performance assessment designed to test maximal jump height and lower extremity power.

Answer 3

Vertical Jump Assessment.

Question 4

When elevated neural drive causes a muscle to be held in a chronic state of contraction.

Answer 4

Overactive muscles

Question 5

An excessive curve or arch in the lumbar spine associated with back pain.

Answer 5

Lumbar Lordosis

Question 6

Describe the pushing assessment lateral view.

Answer 6

View the LPHC, shoulders, cervical spine, and head from the side. The lumbar and cervical spine should remain neutral while the shoulders stay level. Common movement impairments that may be observed include low-back arches, shoulder elevation, and head jutting forward.

Question 7

Describe the pulling assessment movement.

Answer 7

• The client should pull the handle toward their body and return to the starting position.
• The client should use a slow repetition tempo.
• The client should perform five repetitions in a split stance, switch legs, then perform five additional repetitions.

Question 8

When a muscle is experiencing neural inhibition and limited neuromuscular recruitment.

Answer 8

Underactive Muscles

Question 9

An excessive forward rotation of the pelvis that results in greater lumbar lordosis.

Answer 9

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

Question 10

Describe the lateral view of the pulling assessment.

Answer 10

View the LPHC, shoulders, cervical spine, and head from the side. The lumbar and cervical spine should remain neutral while the shoulders stay level. Common movement impairments that may be observed include low-back arches, shoulder elevation, and head jutting forward.

Question 11

A performance assessment that measures muscular endurance of the upper extremities during a pushing movement.

Answer 11

Pushup test

Question 12

Knees bow outward (bowlegged); also known as genu varum

Answer 12

Knee Varus

Question 13

A movement assessment that assesses dynamic posture, lower-extremity strength, balance, and overall coordination in a single-limb stance.

Answer 13

Single Leg Squat Assessment

Question 14

Describe the pulling assessment start position.

Answer 14

1. The client should stand in a narrow, split stance with toes pointing forward and handles in each hand.
2. The fitness professional should choose a resistance that will challenge (but not exhaust) the client while executing 10 repetitions.

Question 15

Describe the single leg squat movement.

Answer 15

1. The client squats as deep as possible (while maintaining balance) and returns to the starting position. The depth of the single-leg squat will be client dependent and will likely vary across populations.
2. The client performs up to five repetitions before switching sides.

Question 16

Describe the overhead squat assessment starting position.

Answer 16

1. The client stands on a flat, stable surface with the feet shoulder-width apart and pointing straight ahead.
2. The foot and ankle complex should be in a neutral position.
3. Ideally, the assessment should be performed with the shoes off to better view the client’s foot and ankle complex.
4. The client should raise their arms completely overhead with elbows fully extended.

Question 17

A performance assessment designed to test maximal jump distance and lower extremity power.

Answer 17

Long Jump Assessment

Question 18

Describe the pushing assessment movement.

Answer 18

1. The fitness professional should instruct the client to push the handles away from their body and return to the starting position.
2. The client should use a slow repetition tempo.
3. The client should perform five repetitions in a split stance, switch legs, and then perform five additional repetitions.

Question 19

Optimal flexibility and joint range of motion; ability to move freely.

Answer 19

Mobility

Question 20

Describe the lateral view overhead squat assessment checkpoints.

Answer 20

View the LPHC and shoulders from the lateral view. Three common movement impairments observed from the lateral view include an excessive forward lean of the torso, an excessive low-back arch, or arms falling forward.

Question 21

A performance assessment designed to test lateral acceleration, deceleration, agility, and control.

Answer 21

Pro Shuttle Assessment

Question 22

The five areas of the body that are monitored during movement assessments and exercise: foot/ankle, knees, lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, shoulders, and head.

Answer 22

Kinetic Chain Checkpoints

Question 23

Collapsed arch of the foot; also known as flat feet.

Answer 23

Pes Planus

Question 24

An assessment of a client’s movement patterns and postural alignment during movement or activity; also known as a dynamic postural assessment.

Answer 24

Movement assessment

Question 25

A performance assessment designed to test lateral speed and agility.

Answer 25

LEFT test

Question 26

The positioning of the musculoskeletal system while the body is motionless.

Answer 26

Static posture

Question 27

Describe the overhead squat assessment movement.

Answer 27

1. The client should squat to a depth that brings the femur parallel to the ground (approximately chair height) and then return to the starting position. The squat depth can be reduced if the client has discomfort or is incapable of performing a squat to this depth.
2. The client will repeat the movement for approximately five repetitions, while the fitness professional views them from both the anterior and lateral vantage points.

Question 28

Describe the single leg squat starting position.

Answer 28

1. The client stands on a flat, stable surface, hands on the hips, and eyes focused forward.
2. The client lifts one foot approximately 6 in. off the floor. The stance foot, ankle and knee, and the LPHC should be in a neutral position and pointed straight ahead.

Question 29

Describe the single leg squat anterior view.

Answer 29

The client’s knee should track straight forward and remain directly over the client’s second and third toes. A common movement impairment is knee valgus.

Question 30

Moving in a biomechanically efficient manner that maximizes muscle recruitment and minimizes risk of injury.

Answer 30

What is optimal movement?

Question 31

Knees collapse inward (knock knees) due to hip adduction and internal rotation; also known as medial knee displacement and genu valgum.

Answer 31

What is knee valgus?

Question 32

A performance assessment designed to test reaction capabilities, acceleration, and maximal speed.

Answer 32

Define the 40 yard dash assessment.

Question 33

Alignment of the body while in motion.

Answer 33

What is dynamic posture?

Question 34

An assessment that provides insight to deviations from optimal alignment of the body in a standing posture.

Answer 34

What is a static postural assessment?

Question 35

A performance assessment designed to estimate the one-repetition maximum of the squat exercise.

Answer 35

Define the squat strength assessment.

Question 36

An assessment that challenges the upper extremities and trunk during a pushing movement to identify movement impairments and potential muscle imbalances.

Answer 36

Define the pushing assessment.

Question 37

Assessments used to measure overall strength, muscular endurance, power, and agility.

Answer 37

What is a performance assessment?

Question 38

1. Pes Planus Distortion syndrome: Characterized by flat feet, knee valgus, and adducted and internally rotated hips.
2. Lower Crossed Syndrome: Characterized by an anterior pelvic tilt and excessive lordosis(extension) of the lumbar spine.
3. Upper Crossed Syndrome: Characterized by a forward head and protracted (rounded) shoulders.

Answer 38

What are the three main postural distortions?

Question 39

Describe the anterior view overhead squat assessment checkpoints.

Answer 39

Feet: View the feet and knees from the front. The feet should remain pointed straight forward, as if the client is on snow skis. A common movement impairment is the feet externally rotating (turning out).

Knees: The client’s knees should track straight forward and remain directly over the client’s second and third toes. A common movement impairment is knee valgus (knees caving inward).

Question 40

Describe the pushing assessment starting position.

Answer 40

1. The client should stand in a narrow, split stance with the toes pointing forward and handles in each hand.
2. The fitness professional should choose a resistance that will challenge (but not exhaust) the client while executing 10 repetitions.

Question 41

Knees collapse inward (knock knees) due to hip adduction and internal rotation; also known as medial knee displacement and genu valgum.

Answer 41

Knee Valgus