NPCP PILATES EXAM: ASSESSMENT FACTORS, PRECAUTIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS,
TEACHING, PILATES PROFESSIONAL & HISTORY | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Assessment Factors: - ✔✔-Static Assessment
-Posture Patterns
-Plumbline postural assessment
Static assessment - ✔✔Understanding what ideal looks like to identify deviations in a client in
order to create a program for a client to best fit their needs, decrease injury, and improve
activities of daily life
Postural Patterns - ✔✔-Lordosis
-Khyphosis
-Flat back
-Hyperlordosis
-Sway back
-Scoliosis
-Valgus
-Varus
Plumbline Postural Assessment Front: - ✔✔Ideal standing posture identified by the following
landmarks:
-Ear
-Center of the shoulder
-Greater trochanter
-Knee
,-Front of the ankle
Plumbline Postural Assessment Side: - ✔✔Ideal standing posture identified by the following
landmarks:
-Earlobe
-Shoulder
-Behind the hip
-Front of knee
-Ankles
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming - ✔✔A medical release is
suggested for all of the following conditions
*Must secure information to determine safe movement parameters for movement
*If it is out of a teacher's scope of practice, turn to another more qualified professional
-Muscle injuries
-ACL knee injuries
-Facet Joint Syndrome
-Herniated Nucleus Pulposis (herniated or bulging disc)
-Spondylolosthesis
-Stenosis
-Total hip replacement
-Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-Plantar Fasciitis
-Rotator Cuff Impingement
, -Thoracic Outlet Syndorme
-Cardio Vascular Disease
-Heart Attack Warning Signs
-Stroke Warning Signs
-Fibromyalgia
-Diabetes
-Gastric Reflux
-Glaucoma
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Osteoarthritis
-Osteoporosis
-Pregnancy
-Rheumatoid Arthritis
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming
Muscle Injuries - Sprain - ✔✔Injury to a joint where the LIGAMENT or capsule is OVER
STRETCHED
Result: mild to severe instability and swelling around the joint
Resolution: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate (RICE)
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming
Muscle Injuries - Spasm - ✔✔Prolonged involuntary contraction of a muscle
Resolution: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate (RICE)
TEACHING, PILATES PROFESSIONAL & HISTORY | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Assessment Factors: - ✔✔-Static Assessment
-Posture Patterns
-Plumbline postural assessment
Static assessment - ✔✔Understanding what ideal looks like to identify deviations in a client in
order to create a program for a client to best fit their needs, decrease injury, and improve
activities of daily life
Postural Patterns - ✔✔-Lordosis
-Khyphosis
-Flat back
-Hyperlordosis
-Sway back
-Scoliosis
-Valgus
-Varus
Plumbline Postural Assessment Front: - ✔✔Ideal standing posture identified by the following
landmarks:
-Ear
-Center of the shoulder
-Greater trochanter
-Knee
,-Front of the ankle
Plumbline Postural Assessment Side: - ✔✔Ideal standing posture identified by the following
landmarks:
-Earlobe
-Shoulder
-Behind the hip
-Front of knee
-Ankles
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming - ✔✔A medical release is
suggested for all of the following conditions
*Must secure information to determine safe movement parameters for movement
*If it is out of a teacher's scope of practice, turn to another more qualified professional
-Muscle injuries
-ACL knee injuries
-Facet Joint Syndrome
-Herniated Nucleus Pulposis (herniated or bulging disc)
-Spondylolosthesis
-Stenosis
-Total hip replacement
-Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-Plantar Fasciitis
-Rotator Cuff Impingement
, -Thoracic Outlet Syndorme
-Cardio Vascular Disease
-Heart Attack Warning Signs
-Stroke Warning Signs
-Fibromyalgia
-Diabetes
-Gastric Reflux
-Glaucoma
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Osteoarthritis
-Osteoporosis
-Pregnancy
-Rheumatoid Arthritis
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming
Muscle Injuries - Sprain - ✔✔Injury to a joint where the LIGAMENT or capsule is OVER
STRETCHED
Result: mild to severe instability and swelling around the joint
Resolution: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate (RICE)
Precautions and Contraindications for Pilates Programming
Muscle Injuries - Spasm - ✔✔Prolonged involuntary contraction of a muscle
Resolution: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate (RICE)
