STOTT PILATES- POSTURAL ALIGNMENT EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

STOTT PILATES- POSTURAL
ALIGNMENT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What are the four types of postural alignment? - ANSWER-Ideal, kyphosis-lordosis, flat-
back, sway-back postures

What should the cervical spine look like in neutral alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve,
slightly convex anteriorly

What should the thoracic spine look like in ideal alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve,
slightly convex posteriorly

What should the lumbar spine look like in ideal alignment? - ANSWER-Normal curve,
slightly convex anteriorly

What muscles are short and strong in the kyphosis-lordosis posture? - ANSWER-Neck
extensors and hip flexors. Low back is strong and may or may not become short

What muscles are short and strong in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Hamstrings,
upper fibres of internal oblique.

What muscles are long and weak in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-One-joint hip
flexors, external oblique, upper back extensors and neck flexors.

What muscles are strong m=but not short in sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Low back
muscles.

What muscles are elongated or weak in the kyphosis- lordosis posture? - ANSWER-
Neck flexors, upper back. Erector spinae, external oblique. Hamstrings are slightly
elongated but may or may not be weak.

What is the cervical spine like in the sway- back posture? - ANSWER-Slightly extended

What is the thoracic spine like in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Increased flexion
(long kypohosis) with posterior displacement of the upper trunk

What is the lumbar spine like in the sway-back posture? - ANSWER-Flexion, flattening
of the low lumbar area