POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
tripod WB - ANSWER: disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers - ANSWER: primary job is proprioception and
stiffness
Deep local muscles - ANSWER: 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 - ANSWER: Activates sub-consciously and sub-threshold in
anticipation of movement
rectus abdomens - ANSWER: The primary purpose is to accelerate or decelerate
flexion and extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back - ANSWER: Create stiffness and control around the spine
based on the anticipated activity
Fascia - ANSWER: A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all
of our cells together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament - ANSWER: Prevents collapse or shift forward of
spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum - ANSWER: Different from other ligaments as it is yellow, elastic,
made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments - ANSWER: Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and
sacrum together #$%^&*&^%
$%^&*(*&^
TA - ANSWER: Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior %^&*(*&^%
lumbar fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. $%^&*&^%
%^&*&^%$
psoas major - ANSWER: 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 - ANSWER: Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia %^&*(((*&^
%$%^&*()(*
pubococcygeus muscle - ANSWER: Suspended and held in place by this sling &^%$%^&*
*&^%$$%^&
intervertebral disc - ANSWER: Functions as a shock absorber
*(*&^%$
,POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
axial elongation - ANSWER: Places the vertebrae in their optimal position, minimizing
destructive forces to the disc
annulus - ANSWER: The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the disc
nucleus pulposes - ANSWER: The jelly like center that provides the distribution of
forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion - ANSWER: Compresses the anterior portion of
the disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension - ANSWER: Compresses the posterior portion
of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - ANSWER: Control of mobility
Panjabi's Model for Stability - ANSWER: Stability comes from motor control, inert
structures, contractile structures
Injuries - ANSWER: Occur at end range of motion
force couple - ANSWER: Muscles working together to create increased stiffness,
strength or acceleration
Muscular slings - ANSWER: Work synergistically together with the fascial system to
optimize movement and performance
#$%^&*&^%
Neutral spine - ANSWER: Position of the spine in which every joint is held in an
optimal position to allow for equal distribution of force through the entire structure $%^&*(*&^
%^&*(*&^%
neutral zone - ANSWER: A measure of spinal laxity in the vicinity of the neutral $%^&*&^%
position %^&*&^%$
%^&*(&^%$
muscle providing greater than 2/3 of the stiffness around the L4-5 segment -
%^&**&^%
ANSWER: Not specified in the notes
^&*(*&^%$
multifidus - ANSWER: One aspect of Core Control is - The appropriate strength for %^&*(((*&^
the desired movement %$%^&*()(*
&^%$%^&*
Deep intersegmental muscles of the spine - ANSWER: Have up to 6 times more *&^%$$%^&
muscle spindle fibers than their superficial counterparts
*(*&^%$
, POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
segmental movement in a safe range of motion - ANSWER: By 'waking up' local
stabilizers and inhibiting global stabilizers
Faulty organization - ANSWER: inappropriate stiffness for anticipated load
neuro excitation - ANSWER: over-recruitment of global muscles, over anticipation of
load
neuro inhibition - ANSWER: pain inhibition of intrinsic muscles, reciprocal inhibition
caused by over-recruitment of antagonist
Excessive stiffness vs. excessive movement - ANSWER: (genetic predisposition,
habitual patterns, compensatory patterns)
acquire new or correct movement - ANSWER: By improving awareness and then
practicing the new skill with that heightened awareness
subgroups with low back pain - 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
Distribution of Movement Equals Distribution of Force - ANSWER: Segmental
movement decreases stress and force that often causes low back pain
Cervical joint characteristics - ANSWER: greatest ROM in all planes
Cervical ROM from OA and AA - ANSWER: 50% of cervical ROM from OA and AA
#$%^&*&^%
Thoracic joint characteristics - ANSWER: smallest ROM in all planes $%^&*(*&^
%^&*(*&^%
greatest movement in rotation - ANSWER: greatest movement in rotation (transverse)$%^&*&^%
%^&*&^%$
lumbar joint characteristics - ANSWER: designed for WB %^&*(&^%$
%^&**&^%
most movement in flexion/extension - ANSWER: most movement in flexion/extension
(sagital) ^&*(*&^%$
%^&*(((*&^
upper thoracic movement pattern - ANSWER: T1-T7: Rot>flex/ext> SB %$%^&*()(*
&^%$%^&*
lower thoracic movement pattern - ANSWER: T8-T12: Flex/Ext >SB *&^%$$%^&
*(*&^%$
ANSWERS.
tripod WB - ANSWER: disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers - ANSWER: primary job is proprioception and
stiffness
Deep local muscles - ANSWER: These are muscles that have unique control over the
posturing of our head: the Rectus Capitus Posterior, the Oblique Captious Superior and
the Oblique Captious Inferior.
Transverse Abdominals - ANSWER: Activates sub-consciously and sub-threshold in
anticipation of movement
rectus abdomens - ANSWER: The primary purpose is to accelerate or decelerate
flexion and extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back - ANSWER: Create stiffness and control around the spine
based on the anticipated activity
Fascia - ANSWER: A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that links all
of our cells together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament - ANSWER: Prevents collapse or shift forward of
spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum - ANSWER: Different from other ligaments as it is yellow, elastic,
made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments - ANSWER: Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium and
sacrum together #$%^&*&^%
$%^&*(*&^
TA - ANSWER: Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the posterior %^&*(*&^%
lumbar fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia. $%^&*&^%
%^&*&^%$
psoas major - ANSWER: Ascends past the lumbar spine, and has insertions up
%^&*(&^%$
through the diaphragm into the lower thoracic spine in the anterior body or the anterior
lateral body of the vertebra. %^&**&^%
^&*(*&^%$
latissimus dorsi muscle - ANSWER: Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar fascia %^&*(((*&^
%$%^&*()(*
pubococcygeus muscle - ANSWER: Suspended and held in place by this sling &^%$%^&*
*&^%$$%^&
intervertebral disc - ANSWER: Functions as a shock absorber
*(*&^%$
,POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
axial elongation - ANSWER: Places the vertebrae in their optimal position, minimizing
destructive forces to the disc
annulus - ANSWER: The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the disc
nucleus pulposes - ANSWER: The jelly like center that 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: Compresses the posterior portion
of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability - ANSWER: Control of mobility
Panjabi's Model for Stability - ANSWER: Stability comes from motor control, inert
structures, contractile structures
Injuries - ANSWER: Occur at end range of motion
force couple - ANSWER: Muscles working together to create increased stiffness,
strength or acceleration
Muscular slings - ANSWER: Work synergistically together with the fascial system to
optimize movement and performance
#$%^&*&^%
Neutral spine - 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 $%^&*(*&^
%^&*(*&^%
neutral zone - ANSWER: 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 -
%^&**&^%
ANSWER: Not specified in the notes
^&*(*&^%$
multifidus - ANSWER: One aspect of Core Control is - The appropriate strength for %^&*(((*&^
the desired movement %$%^&*()(*
&^%$%^&*
Deep intersegmental muscles of the spine - ANSWER: Have up to 6 times more *&^%$$%^&
muscle spindle fibers than their superficial counterparts
*(*&^%$
, POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
segmental movement in a safe range of motion - ANSWER: By 'waking up' local
stabilizers and inhibiting global stabilizers
Faulty organization - ANSWER: inappropriate stiffness for anticipated load
neuro excitation - ANSWER: over-recruitment of global muscles, over anticipation of
load
neuro inhibition - ANSWER: pain inhibition of intrinsic muscles, reciprocal inhibition
caused by over-recruitment of antagonist
Excessive stiffness vs. excessive movement - ANSWER: (genetic predisposition,
habitual patterns, compensatory patterns)
acquire new or correct movement - ANSWER: By improving awareness and then
practicing the new skill with that heightened awareness
subgroups with low back pain - ANSWER: Individuals who: are overweight, have a
high BMI, have pain that does not go below the knee, and have pain localized in the
lumbar spine
Distribution of Movement Equals Distribution of Force - ANSWER: Segmental
movement decreases stress and force that often causes low back pain
Cervical joint characteristics - ANSWER: greatest ROM in all planes
Cervical ROM from OA and AA - ANSWER: 50% of cervical ROM from OA and AA
#$%^&*&^%
Thoracic joint characteristics - ANSWER: smallest ROM in all planes $%^&*(*&^
%^&*(*&^%
greatest movement in rotation - ANSWER: greatest movement in rotation (transverse)$%^&*&^%
%^&*&^%$
lumbar joint characteristics - ANSWER: designed for WB %^&*(&^%$
%^&**&^%
most movement in flexion/extension - ANSWER: most movement in flexion/extension
(sagital) ^&*(*&^%$
%^&*(((*&^
upper thoracic movement pattern - ANSWER: T1-T7: Rot>flex/ext> SB %$%^&*()(*
&^%$%^&*
lower thoracic movement pattern - ANSWER: T8-T12: Flex/Ext >SB *&^%$$%^&
*(*&^%$
