Pilates Special Populations Exam Test with Verified Answers
1. What is it? Cardiovascular
Any disease of heart/blood vessels Disease
Do
Ensure client is hydrated
Refer to GP
Don't Do
extreme temps (over 80 degrees)
weight bearing in cases of foot wounds
for hypertension avoid high intensity or suddenly
moving to upright positions
2. What is it? Heart Attack
pressure in chest Warning Signs
pain/discomfort in arm(s), back, neck, jaw,stomach
shortness of breath
cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness
Do
call 911
Don't
continue exercise
3. What is it? Stroke Warning
numbness/weakness of face, arm, leg, especially on Signs
just one side
confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
loss of vision in one or both eyes
sudden loss of balance or coordination, trouble walk-
ing
sudden severe headache
Do
call 911
Don't
continue exercise
4. What is it? Herniated/Bulging
annulus of nucleus is weakened and nucleus can Disk (nucleus
"leak," losing volume and narrowing pulposus)
feels like pain or numbness in butt or leg (spinal cord
compression
, Pilates Special Populations Exam Test with Verified Answers
can cause weakness or loss of tendon reflexes
Do
consult GP and PT
pelvic organization and support
decompressive exercises
thoracic extension
Bridging
shorten lever of legs
light flexion in less acute stages
Don't do
flexion or vertical loading in acute stages
strong spinal rotation exercises
loaded flexion
5. What is it? Facet Joint Syn-
inflammation of joints between the spinous/trans- drome
verse processes of vertebra
hypomobility (locked facet joints) in vertebra causing
painful hyper mobile segments
often accompanied by disc degeneration
painful in extension, especially with rotation/side
bending
Do
consult GP/PT
stabilize neutral spine
emphasize elongation and critical connections (de-
compressive)
Don't do
extension, especially with rotation or side bending
(mermaid, snake twist)
6. What is it? Spondylolisthesis
Instability at bottom of spine (L4-L5 or L5-S1) due to a
defect in the laminae of the vertebral bodies causing
anterior shearing
Causes nerve compression
Typically aggravated by extension
Pain may radiate into buttocks
Major conditions can cause fractures or spinal cord
, Pilates Special Populations Exam Test with Verified Answers
injuries
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Find strong abdominal recruitments in neutral spine
Imprint for abdominal work
Encourage stability in lumbar spine
Work on hip stability, squats, and pelvic floor engage-
ment
Footwork in imprint on reformer with bar pulled close
in to find hip hinge with supported lumbar
Don't Do
Extension, especially loaded
Hyperstrengthening posaz - the lumbar attachment
can pull the lumbar spine further anterior
7. What is it? Stenosis
Narrowing of spinal canal (central) or nerve root canal
(transverse) causing compression of nerves
Usually occurs in lumbar spine but can occur any-
where
Aggravated by extension
Exhibits as back pain, tingling, temporary motor weak-
ness and referred pain in legs
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Find strong abdominal recruitments in neutral spine
Imprint for abdominal work
Work on hip stability - squats, pelvic floor
Support lumbar with pillows, bolsters, etc.
Practice breathing and shoulder exercises to stimu-
late thoracic spine
Don't Do
Extension
8. What is it? Gastric Reflux
Backwards flow of stomach acid into the esophagus
Can cause damage to the esophagus over time
Heartburn is the symptom of acid in the esophagus
Do
1. What is it? Cardiovascular
Any disease of heart/blood vessels Disease
Do
Ensure client is hydrated
Refer to GP
Don't Do
extreme temps (over 80 degrees)
weight bearing in cases of foot wounds
for hypertension avoid high intensity or suddenly
moving to upright positions
2. What is it? Heart Attack
pressure in chest Warning Signs
pain/discomfort in arm(s), back, neck, jaw,stomach
shortness of breath
cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness
Do
call 911
Don't
continue exercise
3. What is it? Stroke Warning
numbness/weakness of face, arm, leg, especially on Signs
just one side
confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
loss of vision in one or both eyes
sudden loss of balance or coordination, trouble walk-
ing
sudden severe headache
Do
call 911
Don't
continue exercise
4. What is it? Herniated/Bulging
annulus of nucleus is weakened and nucleus can Disk (nucleus
"leak," losing volume and narrowing pulposus)
feels like pain or numbness in butt or leg (spinal cord
compression
, Pilates Special Populations Exam Test with Verified Answers
can cause weakness or loss of tendon reflexes
Do
consult GP and PT
pelvic organization and support
decompressive exercises
thoracic extension
Bridging
shorten lever of legs
light flexion in less acute stages
Don't do
flexion or vertical loading in acute stages
strong spinal rotation exercises
loaded flexion
5. What is it? Facet Joint Syn-
inflammation of joints between the spinous/trans- drome
verse processes of vertebra
hypomobility (locked facet joints) in vertebra causing
painful hyper mobile segments
often accompanied by disc degeneration
painful in extension, especially with rotation/side
bending
Do
consult GP/PT
stabilize neutral spine
emphasize elongation and critical connections (de-
compressive)
Don't do
extension, especially with rotation or side bending
(mermaid, snake twist)
6. What is it? Spondylolisthesis
Instability at bottom of spine (L4-L5 or L5-S1) due to a
defect in the laminae of the vertebral bodies causing
anterior shearing
Causes nerve compression
Typically aggravated by extension
Pain may radiate into buttocks
Major conditions can cause fractures or spinal cord
, Pilates Special Populations Exam Test with Verified Answers
injuries
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Find strong abdominal recruitments in neutral spine
Imprint for abdominal work
Encourage stability in lumbar spine
Work on hip stability, squats, and pelvic floor engage-
ment
Footwork in imprint on reformer with bar pulled close
in to find hip hinge with supported lumbar
Don't Do
Extension, especially loaded
Hyperstrengthening posaz - the lumbar attachment
can pull the lumbar spine further anterior
7. What is it? Stenosis
Narrowing of spinal canal (central) or nerve root canal
(transverse) causing compression of nerves
Usually occurs in lumbar spine but can occur any-
where
Aggravated by extension
Exhibits as back pain, tingling, temporary motor weak-
ness and referred pain in legs
Do
Refer to GP/PT
Find strong abdominal recruitments in neutral spine
Imprint for abdominal work
Work on hip stability - squats, pelvic floor
Support lumbar with pillows, bolsters, etc.
Practice breathing and shoulder exercises to stimu-
late thoracic spine
Don't Do
Extension
8. What is it? Gastric Reflux
Backwards flow of stomach acid into the esophagus
Can cause damage to the esophagus over time
Heartburn is the symptom of acid in the esophagus
Do
