POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
Principles (6) 1. Breathing
2. Axial Elongation & Core Control
3. Spine Articulation
4. Organization of the HNS
5. Alignment and Weight Bearing of the Extremities
6. Movement Intregation
Principle 1 Breathing
Principle 2 Axial Elongation & Core Control
Principle 3 Spine Articulation
Principle 4 Organization of the HNS
Principle 5 Alignment and Weight Bearing of the Extremities
Principle 6 Movement Integration
Inversion Precautions (3) 1. Hypertension
2. Glaucoma
3. Gastric Reflux
Hypertension - contraindications Avoid positions increasing blood pressure to head &
neck regions
Avoid: inverted positions (head below heart)
Glaucoma Definition: Condition of elevated pressure within the eye due to an
obstruction of outflow of the fluid circulating in the chambers of the eye
Issue: Pressure may kill cells in optic nerve leading to gradual loss of vision
Avoid: Inverted positions (head below heart)
, Gastric Reflux Definition: Backward flow of stomach acid contents into esophagus.
Develops from chronic exposure of the esophagus to acid coming up from the stomach.
Leads to heartburn and discomfort behind sternum
Avoid: Inverted positions (head below heart), food consumption 2 hours before exercise,
& monitor supine positions
Supine Contraindications (2) 1. Mid-Late Stage Pregnancy
2. Acute Disc Herniation
Acute Disc Herniation Nucleus Pulsosus bulges through a tear in disc annulus,
producing local back pain / putting pressure on nerve roots to produce neural symptoms
in extremities.
Avoid: Supine positions
Mid - Late Stage Pregnancy Supine Contraindications: Prone to supine hypotension.
Weight of the uterus can put pressure on the inferior vena cava, reducing cardiac output
and impeding blood flow to mother & child
Flexion Contraindications: Such positions can cause bulging of RA, leading to
development of diastisis recti (separatin of RA along the line of Linea Alba). This might
cause lumbar instability and abdominal hernia
Flexion Contraindications (3) 1. Disc Herniation
2. Osteoporosis
3. Mid-Late Stage Pregnancy
Disc Herniation Unsupported forward bending & rotation in lumbar spine or lifting heavy
loads without adequate support
Avoid: Flexion positions
Osteoporosis "Porous Bones"
Demineralization of bone tissue leading to bone fragility. Flexion puts excessive
pressure on vertebral bodies and may lead to compression fractures of the spine
Avoid: Spine flexion, sidebending
Permissible: Extension with rotation and midrange movements of side bending &
rotation
Extension & Lateral Flexion Contraindications (3) 1. Stenosis
2. Spondylolisthesis
3. Facet Joint Syndrome
ANSWERS.
Principles (6) 1. Breathing
2. Axial Elongation & Core Control
3. Spine Articulation
4. Organization of the HNS
5. Alignment and Weight Bearing of the Extremities
6. Movement Intregation
Principle 1 Breathing
Principle 2 Axial Elongation & Core Control
Principle 3 Spine Articulation
Principle 4 Organization of the HNS
Principle 5 Alignment and Weight Bearing of the Extremities
Principle 6 Movement Integration
Inversion Precautions (3) 1. Hypertension
2. Glaucoma
3. Gastric Reflux
Hypertension - contraindications Avoid positions increasing blood pressure to head &
neck regions
Avoid: inverted positions (head below heart)
Glaucoma Definition: Condition of elevated pressure within the eye due to an
obstruction of outflow of the fluid circulating in the chambers of the eye
Issue: Pressure may kill cells in optic nerve leading to gradual loss of vision
Avoid: Inverted positions (head below heart)
, Gastric Reflux Definition: Backward flow of stomach acid contents into esophagus.
Develops from chronic exposure of the esophagus to acid coming up from the stomach.
Leads to heartburn and discomfort behind sternum
Avoid: Inverted positions (head below heart), food consumption 2 hours before exercise,
& monitor supine positions
Supine Contraindications (2) 1. Mid-Late Stage Pregnancy
2. Acute Disc Herniation
Acute Disc Herniation Nucleus Pulsosus bulges through a tear in disc annulus,
producing local back pain / putting pressure on nerve roots to produce neural symptoms
in extremities.
Avoid: Supine positions
Mid - Late Stage Pregnancy Supine Contraindications: Prone to supine hypotension.
Weight of the uterus can put pressure on the inferior vena cava, reducing cardiac output
and impeding blood flow to mother & child
Flexion Contraindications: Such positions can cause bulging of RA, leading to
development of diastisis recti (separatin of RA along the line of Linea Alba). This might
cause lumbar instability and abdominal hernia
Flexion Contraindications (3) 1. Disc Herniation
2. Osteoporosis
3. Mid-Late Stage Pregnancy
Disc Herniation Unsupported forward bending & rotation in lumbar spine or lifting heavy
loads without adequate support
Avoid: Flexion positions
Osteoporosis "Porous Bones"
Demineralization of bone tissue leading to bone fragility. Flexion puts excessive
pressure on vertebral bodies and may lead to compression fractures of the spine
Avoid: Spine flexion, sidebending
Permissible: Extension with rotation and midrange movements of side bending &
rotation
Extension & Lateral Flexion Contraindications (3) 1. Stenosis
2. Spondylolisthesis
3. Facet Joint Syndrome
