Chapter 9: Executing Formal Fitness Assessments

Question 1

Postural distortion patterns (286)

Answer 1

Common postural malalignments and muscle imbalances that individuals develop based on a variety of factors.

Question 2

Pronation distortion syndrome (286)

Answer 2

A postural distortion syndrome characterized by foot pronation (flat feet) and adducted and internally rotated knees (knock knees).

Question 3

Lower crossed syndrome (286)

Answer 3

A postural distortion syndrome characterized by an anterior tilt to the pelvis (arched lower back).

Question 4

Upper crossed syndrome (286)

Answer 4

A postural distortion syndrome characterized by a forward head and rounded shoulders.

Question 5

Transitional movement assessments (293)

Answer 5

A type of assessment that evaluates dynamic posture.

Question 6

Overhead squat assessment (293)

Answer 6

A transitional movement assessment designed to assess dynamic flexibility, core strength, balance, and overall neuromuscular control.

Question 7

Knee valgus (293)

Answer 7

The process where the knees move forward and in, otherwise known as “knock knees.”

Question 8

Pronation distortion syndrome

overactive/short muscles

Answer 8

gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneals, adductors, tension fascia latae, hip flexor complex, biceps femoris (short head).

Question 9

Pronation distortion syndrome

underactive/lengthened muscles

Answer 9

anterior tibialis, posterior tibialis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius.

Question 10

Lower crossed syndrome

overactive/short muscles

Answer 10

gastrocnemius, soleus, hip flexor complex, adductors, latissumus dorsi, erector spinae.

Question 11

Lower crossed syndrome

underactive/lengthened muscles

Answer 11

anterior tibialis, posterior tibialis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, transverse abdominis.

Question 12

Upper crossed syndrome

overactive/short muscles

Answer 12

upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, latissumus dorsi, teres major, subscapularis, pectoralis major/minor.

Question 13

Upper crossed syndrome

underactive/lengthened muscles

Answer 13

deep cervical flexors, serratus anterior, rhomboids, mid-trapezius, lower trapezius, teres minor, infraspinatus.

Question 14

What are the associated muscles imbalances for pronation distortion syndrome?

Answer 14

Increased: knee adduction, knee internal rotation, foot pronation, foot external rotation.

Question 15

What are the decreased muscle imbalances in pronation distortion syndrome?

Answer 15

ankle dorsiflexion and ankle inversion.

Question 16

What are the associated muscle imbalances for lower crossed syndrome?

Answer 16

Increased lumbar extension and decreased hip extension.

Question 17

What are the associated muscle imbalances for upper crossed syndrome?

Answer 17

Increased cervical extension, scapular protraction/elevation. Decreased shoulder extension, shoulder external rotation.

Question 18

When reviewing the LPHC during the overhead squat assessment, an individual with an excessive forward lean has what probable overactive muscles and underactive muscles?

Answer 18

Soleus, gastrocnemius, hip flexor complex, abdominal complex.
Underactive: anterior tibialis, gluteus maximus, erector spinae.

Question 19

During an overhead squat assessment you notice the lower back arches (anterior pelvic tilt) at the LPHC checkpoint. What would be the probable overactive/underactive muscles for this malalignment?

Answer 19

overactive: hip flexor complex, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi.
underactive: gluteus maximus, hamstring complex, intrinsic core stabilizers (transverse abdominis, multifidus, transversospinalis, internal oblique pelvic floor.)

Question 20

You notice that your clients low back rounds (posterior pelvic tilt) during an overhead squat assessment, at the LPHC checkpoint. What would be the probable overactive/underactive muscles?

Answer 20

overactive muscles: hamstring complex, rectus abdominis

underactive muscles: intrinsic core stabilizers, gluteus maximus, erector spinae.

Question 21

Your clients feet are “turning out” during an overhead squat assessment while looking at their feet, anteriorly. What would be the probable overactive/underactive muscles attributed to this?

Answer 21

overactive: soleus, lateral gastrocnemius, biceps femoris (short head).
underactive: medial gastrocnemius, medial hamstring complex, gracilis, Sartorius, popliteus.

Question 22

At the “knees” checkpoint during an overhead squat assessment, you see that your clients knees are “moving inward.” What probable overactive/underactive muscles would be attributed to this?

Answer 22

overactive muscles: adductor complex, soleus/gastrocnemius, biceps femoris (short head), tensor fasciae latae, vastus lateralis.

underactive muscles: gluteus medius/maximus, vastus medialis oblique.

Question 23

You ask your client to perform a single-leg squat assessment and you notice their knees are moving inward. What probable overactive/underactive muscles would be attributed to this?

Answer 23

overactive muscles: adductor complex, biceps femoris (short head), tensor fasciae latae, vastus lateralis,

underactive muscles: gluteus maximus/medius, vastus medialis oblique.

Question 24

Low back arching at the LPHC during the pushing assessment, is indicative for what probable overactive/underactive muscles?

Answer 24

overactive muscle: hip flexors, erector spinae.

underactive muscles: intrinsic core stabilizers.

Question 25

The compensation is shoulder elevation during the pushing assessment. What are the probable overactive/underactive muscles?

Answer 25

overactive muscles: upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae.

underactive muscles: mid/lower trapezius.

Question 26

The compensation is, “head migrates forward” during the pushing assessment. What are the probable overactive/underactive muscles?

Answer 26

overactive: upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae.
underactive: deep cervical flexors.

Question 27

What are the kinetic chain checkpoints for the pulling assessment?

Answer 27

LPHC, shoulder complex, and head.

Question 28

Which probable overactive/underactive muscles would be attributed to a low back arch compensation during a pulling assessment at the LPHC checkpoint?

Answer 28

overactive: hip flexors, erector spinae.
underactive: intrinsic core stabilizers.

Question 29

Shoulder elevation during a pulling assessment is attributed to what probable overactive/underactive muscles?

Answer 29

overactive: upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae.
underactive: mid trapezius, lower trapezius.

Question 30

When the head protrudes forward during a pulling assessment, what would be the probable overactive/underactive muscles attributed to this?

Answer 30

overactive: upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae.
underactive: deep cervical flexors.