Chapter 12 - Posture, Movement, and Performance Assessments

Question 1

What is static posture?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is dynamic posture?

Answer 2

Alignment of the body while in motion.

Question 3

What is optimal movement?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is a movement assessment?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is a muscle imbalance?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is mobility?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is a performance assessment?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is pes planus?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Define overactive muscles.

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Define underactive muscles.

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What is a static postural assessment?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the kinetic chain checkpoints?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is an anterior pelvic tilt?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What is knee valgus?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is knee varus?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the three main postural distortions?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Describe the overhead squat assessment starting position.

Answer 17

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 18

Describe the overhead squat assessment movement.

Answer 18

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 19

Describe the anterior view overhead squat assessment checkpoints.

Answer 19

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 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

What is the single leg squat assessment?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Describe the single leg squat starting position.

Answer 22

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 23

Describe the single leg squat movement.

Answer 23

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 24

Describe the single leg squat anterior view.

Answer 24

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 25

Define the pushing assessment.

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Describe the pushing assessment starting position.

Answer 26

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 27

Describe the pushing assessment movement.

Answer 27

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 28

Describe the pushing assessment lateral view.

Answer 28

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 29

Define the pulling assessment.

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Describe the pulling assessment start position.

Answer 30

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 31

Describe the pulling assessment movement.

Answer 31

• 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 32

Describe the lateral view of the pulling assessment.

Answer 32

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 33

Define the pushup test.

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Describe the bench press strength assessment.

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Define the squat strength assessment.

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Define the vertical jump assessment.

Answer 36

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

Question 37

Describe the long jump assessment.

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Define the 40 yard dash assessment.

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Define the LEFT test.

Answer 39

A performance assessment designed to test lateral speed and agility.

Question 40

Define the pro shuttle assessment.

Answer 40

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

Question 41

What is lumbar lordosis?

Answer 41

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