POLESTAR PILATES EXAM REVIEW AND
KEY CONCEPTS. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026 EDITION
Tripod WB - ANS disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers - ANS primary job is proprioception and stiffness
Deep local muscles - ANS These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of
our head: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the Oblique Captious Superior and the Oblique Captious
Inferior.
Transverse Abdominals - ANS Activates sub-consciously and sub-threshold in anticipation of
movement
rectus abdomens - ANS The primary purpose is to accelerate or decelerate flexion and
extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back - ANS Create stiffness and control around the spine based on the
anticipated activity
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,Fascia - ANS A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells
together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament - ANS Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum - ANS Different from other ligaments as it is yellow, elastic, made to stretch
and expand
Pelvic ligaments - ANS Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and sacrum together
TA - ANS Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar fascia, or
the thoracolumbar fascia.
psoas major - ANS Ascends past the lumbar spine, and has insertions up through the
diaphragm into the lower thoracic spine in the anterior body or the anterior lateral body of the
vertebra.
latissimus dorsi muscle - ANS Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia
pubococcygeus muscle - ANS Suspended and held in place by this sling
intervertebral disc - ANS Functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation - ANS Places the vertebrae in their optimal position, minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
annulus - ANS The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the disc
@COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
, nucleus pulposes - ANS The jelly like center that provides the distribution of forces between
vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion - ANS Compresses the anterior portion of the disc,
pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension - ANS Compresses the posterior portion of the disc,
pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - ANS Control of mobility
Panjabi's Model for Stability - ANS Stability comes from motor control, inert structures,
contractile structures
Injuries - ANS Occur at end range of motion
force couple - ANS Muscles working together to create increased stiffness, strength or
acceleration
Muscular slings - ANS Work synergistically together with the fascial system to optimize
movement and performance
Neutral spine - ANS Position of the spine in which every joint is held in an optimal position to
allow for equal distribution of force through the entire structure
neutral zone - ANS A measure of spinal laxity in the vicinity of the neutral position
muscle providing greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5 segment - ANS Not
specified in the notes
@COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
KEY CONCEPTS. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026 EDITION
Tripod WB - ANS disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers - ANS primary job is proprioception and stiffness
Deep local muscles - ANS These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of
our head: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the Oblique Captious Superior and the Oblique Captious
Inferior.
Transverse Abdominals - ANS Activates sub-consciously and sub-threshold in anticipation of
movement
rectus abdomens - ANS The primary purpose is to accelerate or decelerate flexion and
extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back - ANS Create stiffness and control around the spine based on the
anticipated activity
@COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Fascia - ANS A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells
together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament - ANS Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum - ANS Different from other ligaments as it is yellow, elastic, made to stretch
and expand
Pelvic ligaments - ANS Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and sacrum together
TA - ANS Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar fascia, or
the thoracolumbar fascia.
psoas major - ANS Ascends past the lumbar spine, and has insertions up through the
diaphragm into the lower thoracic spine in the anterior body or the anterior lateral body of the
vertebra.
latissimus dorsi muscle - ANS Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia
pubococcygeus muscle - ANS Suspended and held in place by this sling
intervertebral disc - ANS Functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation - ANS Places the vertebrae in their optimal position, minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
annulus - ANS The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the disc
@COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
, nucleus pulposes - ANS The jelly like center that provides the distribution of forces between
vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion - ANS Compresses the anterior portion of the disc,
pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension - ANS Compresses the posterior portion of the disc,
pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - ANS Control of mobility
Panjabi's Model for Stability - ANS Stability comes from motor control, inert structures,
contractile structures
Injuries - ANS Occur at end range of motion
force couple - ANS Muscles working together to create increased stiffness, strength or
acceleration
Muscular slings - ANS Work synergistically together with the fascial system to optimize
movement and performance
Neutral spine - ANS Position of the spine in which every joint is held in an optimal position to
allow for equal distribution of force through the entire structure
neutral zone - ANS A measure of spinal laxity in the vicinity of the neutral position
muscle providing greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5 segment - ANS Not
specified in the notes
@COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
