POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
What is "tripod WB" refering to in the spine? ...ANSWER...disc in front and facets in
back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers primary job is ...ANSWER...proprioception and
stiffness -
These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of our
head. ...ANSWER...These deep local muscles: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the
Oblique Capitus Superior and the Oblique Capitus Inferior.
In anticipation of movement, the Transverse Abdominis ...ANSWER...Activates sub-
consciously and sub-threshold
The primary purpose of the rectus abdominis is to: ...ANSWER...Accelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
The deep muscles of the back (multifidi and rotatores): ...ANSWER...Create stiffness
and control around the spine based on the anticipated activity
Which of the following is true regarding fascia? ...ANSWER...Fascia is a living, dynamic,
communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells together
Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae ...ANSWER...The Anterior
Longitudinal Ligament:
The ligamentum flavum is different from other ligaments as it is: ...ANSWER...Yellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments: ...ANSWER...Are extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and
sacrum together
wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar
fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. It draws
on the rectus sheath and on the thoracolumbar
fascia, which is filled with the erector spinae and the multifidi muscles. ...ANSWER...TA
The psoas major ascends
and has a relationship with our spine. ...ANSWER...It 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. This is very important.
What connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia? ...ANSWER...the latissimus dorsi
muscle
These pelvic floor sphincters are suspended
and held in place by this sling. ...ANSWER...This is called the pubococcygeus muscle
The intervertebral disc ...ANSWER...functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation places the vertebrae in their optimal position , minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
WB inc. compressive forces on disc
compression/decompression necessary for disc health
The annulus ...ANSWER...the outer shell- provides strength and stability to disc
The nucleus pulposes ...ANSWER...the jelly like center provides the distribution of
forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion ...ANSWER...compresses the anterior portion of the
disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension ...ANSWER...compression the posterior portion of
the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability ...ANSWER...control of mobility
According to Panjabi's Model for Stability, stability comes from which of the following 3
factors? ...ANSWER...Motor control, inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries occur: ...ANSWER...At end range of motion
A force couple is defined as: ...ANSWER...Muscles working together to create
increased stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings are important because they: ...ANSWER...Work synergistically together
with the fascial system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine is defined as: ...ANSWER...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
Panjabi defines the "neutral zone" as ...ANSWER...A measure of spinal laxity in the
vicinity of the neutral position
,Which muscle provides greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5
segment? ...ANSWER...multifidus
One aspect of Core Control is ...ANSWER...The appropriate strength for the desired
movement
Deep intersegmental muscles of the spine: ...ANSWER...Have up to 6 times more
muscle spindle fibers than their superficial counterparts
How does segmental movement in a safe range of motion help clients ...ANSWER...By
"waking up" local stabilizers and inhibiting global stabilizers
Faulty organization ...ANSWER...inappropriate stiffness for anticipated load
- neuro excitation- over-recruitment of global muscles, over anticipation of load
-neuro inhibition- pain inhibition of intrinsic muscles, reciprocal inhibition caused by
over-recruitment of antagonist
-Excessive stiffness vs. excessive movement
(genetic predisposition, habitual patterns, compensatory patterns)
How can clients acquire new or correct movement? ...ANSWER...By improving
awareness and then practicing the new skill with that heightened awareness
According to research, which subgroups with low back pain were most likely to benefit
from a Pilates-Based exercise program? ...ANSWER...Individuals who: are overweight,
have a high BMI, have pain that does not go below the knee, and have pain localized in
the lumbar spine
According to the lecture the quote "Distribution of Movement Equals Distribution of
Force" means: ...ANSWER...Segmental movement decreases stress and force that
often causes low back pain
Cervical joint characteristics ...ANSWER...greatest ROM in all planes
50% of cervical ROM from OA and AA
Coronal orientation of facets
facets at approximately 45 degrees
Thoracic joint characteristics ...ANSWER...smallest ROM in all planes
greatest movement in rotation (transverse)
least mobement in lateral flexion
coronal orientation of facets
facets at approximately 60 degrees
lumbar joint characteristics ...ANSWER...designed for WB
most movement in flexion/extension (sagital)
, least movement in rotation (transverse)
sagital orientation
facets at approximately 90 degrees
upper thoracic movement pattern ...ANSWER...T1-T7: Rot>flex/ext> SB
lower thoracic movement pattern ...ANSWER...T8-T12: Flex/EXt >SB
cervical movement pattern C3-C7 ...ANSWER...Rot>flex/ext> SB
cervical movement pattern C1-C2 ...ANSWER...50% of motion- flex/ext and rot
Fryette's Law says that: ...ANSWER...When the slack of a spinal segment is taken up in
one direction of movement, there will be less available movement in other planes of
movement
muscles of inhalation ...ANSWER...diaphragm
external intercostals
the sternocleidomastoid
in the neck, and the scaleni, and some of the other small strap muscles
muscles of exhalation ...ANSWER...abdominals
internal intercostals
pelvic floor muscles
OA joint movement ...ANSWER...Flexion/extension and lateral flexion
AA joint movement ...ANSWER...rotation
congruency ...ANSWER...Maintaining optimal surface contact at the articulation
between boney surfaces of the joint
hypermobility ...ANSWER...Excessive range of motion with dynamic control
when flexing the shoulder the scapular should ...ANSWER...Upwardly rotate
biomechanics of head neck and shoulder organization ...ANSWER...we started having
congestion in those Mu Points,
or that we had some problems with our lung, gallbladder and some
of those meridians before and we lost our posture.
That is not what is important right now.
What is important is that to restore the normal function is to improve our
posture to reorganize our shoulder growing into our head and to improve the flow of
Chi and energy through those Meridians that are found in our chest, neck, or shoulders.
ANSWERS.
What is "tripod WB" refering to in the spine? ...ANSWER...disc in front and facets in
back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers primary job is ...ANSWER...proprioception and
stiffness -
These are muscles that have unique control over the posturing of our
head. ...ANSWER...These deep local muscles: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the
Oblique Capitus Superior and the Oblique Capitus Inferior.
In anticipation of movement, the Transverse Abdominis ...ANSWER...Activates sub-
consciously and sub-threshold
The primary purpose of the rectus abdominis is to: ...ANSWER...Accelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
The deep muscles of the back (multifidi and rotatores): ...ANSWER...Create stiffness
and control around the spine based on the anticipated activity
Which of the following is true regarding fascia? ...ANSWER...Fascia is a living, dynamic,
communicating tissue in our body that links all of our cells together
Prevents collapse or shift forward of spinal vertebrae ...ANSWER...The Anterior
Longitudinal Ligament:
The ligamentum flavum is different from other ligaments as it is: ...ANSWER...Yellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments: ...ANSWER...Are extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and
sacrum together
wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior lumbar
fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. It draws
on the rectus sheath and on the thoracolumbar
fascia, which is filled with the erector spinae and the multifidi muscles. ...ANSWER...TA
The psoas major ascends
and has a relationship with our spine. ...ANSWER...It 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. This is very important.
What connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia? ...ANSWER...the latissimus dorsi
muscle
These pelvic floor sphincters are suspended
and held in place by this sling. ...ANSWER...This is called the pubococcygeus muscle
The intervertebral disc ...ANSWER...functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation places the vertebrae in their optimal position , minimizing destructive
forces to the disc
WB inc. compressive forces on disc
compression/decompression necessary for disc health
The annulus ...ANSWER...the outer shell- provides strength and stability to disc
The nucleus pulposes ...ANSWER...the jelly like center provides the distribution of
forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion ...ANSWER...compresses the anterior portion of the
disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension ...ANSWER...compression the posterior portion of
the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability ...ANSWER...control of mobility
According to Panjabi's Model for Stability, stability comes from which of the following 3
factors? ...ANSWER...Motor control, inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries occur: ...ANSWER...At end range of motion
A force couple is defined as: ...ANSWER...Muscles working together to create
increased stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings are important because they: ...ANSWER...Work synergistically together
with the fascial system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine is defined as: ...ANSWER...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
Panjabi defines the "neutral zone" as ...ANSWER...A measure of spinal laxity in the
vicinity of the neutral position
,Which muscle provides greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5
segment? ...ANSWER...multifidus
One aspect of Core Control is ...ANSWER...The appropriate strength for the desired
movement
Deep intersegmental muscles of the spine: ...ANSWER...Have up to 6 times more
muscle spindle fibers than their superficial counterparts
How does segmental movement in a safe range of motion help clients ...ANSWER...By
"waking up" local stabilizers and inhibiting global stabilizers
Faulty organization ...ANSWER...inappropriate stiffness for anticipated load
- neuro excitation- over-recruitment of global muscles, over anticipation of load
-neuro inhibition- pain inhibition of intrinsic muscles, reciprocal inhibition caused by
over-recruitment of antagonist
-Excessive stiffness vs. excessive movement
(genetic predisposition, habitual patterns, compensatory patterns)
How can clients acquire new or correct movement? ...ANSWER...By improving
awareness and then practicing the new skill with that heightened awareness
According to research, which subgroups with low back pain were most likely to benefit
from a Pilates-Based exercise program? ...ANSWER...Individuals who: are overweight,
have a high BMI, have pain that does not go below the knee, and have pain localized in
the lumbar spine
According to the lecture the quote "Distribution of Movement Equals Distribution of
Force" means: ...ANSWER...Segmental movement decreases stress and force that
often causes low back pain
Cervical joint characteristics ...ANSWER...greatest ROM in all planes
50% of cervical ROM from OA and AA
Coronal orientation of facets
facets at approximately 45 degrees
Thoracic joint characteristics ...ANSWER...smallest ROM in all planes
greatest movement in rotation (transverse)
least mobement in lateral flexion
coronal orientation of facets
facets at approximately 60 degrees
lumbar joint characteristics ...ANSWER...designed for WB
most movement in flexion/extension (sagital)
, least movement in rotation (transverse)
sagital orientation
facets at approximately 90 degrees
upper thoracic movement pattern ...ANSWER...T1-T7: Rot>flex/ext> SB
lower thoracic movement pattern ...ANSWER...T8-T12: Flex/EXt >SB
cervical movement pattern C3-C7 ...ANSWER...Rot>flex/ext> SB
cervical movement pattern C1-C2 ...ANSWER...50% of motion- flex/ext and rot
Fryette's Law says that: ...ANSWER...When the slack of a spinal segment is taken up in
one direction of movement, there will be less available movement in other planes of
movement
muscles of inhalation ...ANSWER...diaphragm
external intercostals
the sternocleidomastoid
in the neck, and the scaleni, and some of the other small strap muscles
muscles of exhalation ...ANSWER...abdominals
internal intercostals
pelvic floor muscles
OA joint movement ...ANSWER...Flexion/extension and lateral flexion
AA joint movement ...ANSWER...rotation
congruency ...ANSWER...Maintaining optimal surface contact at the articulation
between boney surfaces of the joint
hypermobility ...ANSWER...Excessive range of motion with dynamic control
when flexing the shoulder the scapular should ...ANSWER...Upwardly rotate
biomechanics of head neck and shoulder organization ...ANSWER...we started having
congestion in those Mu Points,
or that we had some problems with our lung, gallbladder and some
of those meridians before and we lost our posture.
That is not what is important right now.
What is important is that to restore the normal function is to improve our
posture to reorganize our shoulder growing into our head and to improve the flow of
Chi and energy through those Meridians that are found in our chest, neck, or shoulders.
