STOTT Pilates Anatomy Success Pack 2026 | Latest
Update | Exam Prep
1. Describe the role of the lower trapezius and pectoralis minor in scapular
depression.
The lower trapezius and pectoralis minor are primarily responsible for
shoulder abduction.
The lower trapezius and pectoralis minor work together to pull the
scapula downward, facilitating movements such as reaching down.
The lower trapezius stabilizes the scapula while the pectoralis minor
elevates it.
The lower trapezius rotates the scapula upward while the pectoralis
minor assists in flexion.
2. Name the rotator cuff muscles (all are covering the scapula intrinsically).
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major
3. In a Stott Pilates class, if a participant is performing a spinal extension
exercise incorrectly, what might be a potential consequence for their
posture?
They will enhance their core strength significantly.
They will experience increased spinal rotation.
They will improve their flexibility in the spine.
They may develop poor posture due to inadequate engagement of
the back muscles.
,4. In a Pilates exercise focusing on shoulder stability, how might scapular
tipping be addressed to enhance performance?
By keeping the scapula elevated at all times.
By ensuring the scapula is properly aligned to maintain stability
during arm movements.
By allowing the scapula to tip excessively to increase flexibility.
By focusing solely on the arm movements without considering the
scapula.
5. Explain how flexion and extension at the elbow joint contribute to arm
movement.
Flexion involves rotating the forearm, while extension involves
straightening it.
Flexion decreases the angle between the forearm and the upper
arm, while extension increases it.
Flexion moves the arm away from the body, while extension brings it
closer.
Flexion and extension are both movements that occur in the shoulder
joint.
6. In a Pilates class, if an instructor asks participants to perform shoulder flexion
while lying on their back, which muscles are primarily engaged during this
action?
Rhomboids and supraspinatus
Deltoids and pectoralis major
Biceps brachii and triceps brachii
Latissimus dorsi and trapezius
,7. What are the two primary actions of the elbow joint?
Abduction and adduction
Elevation and depression
Flexion and extension
Rotation and circumduction
8. Describe the role of adductor muscles in hip movement and how they
contribute to stability.
Adductor muscles primarily extend the hip and assist in jumping.
Adductor muscles rotate the hip outward and support balance.
Adductor muscles are responsible for flexing the knee and stabilizing
the ankle.
Adductor muscles facilitate the movement of the hip towards the
midline and help maintain stability during activities.
9. What happens to the curvature of the spine during spinal extension?
cervical and lumbar start in Lordotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
cervical and lumbar start in kyphotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
lumbar and thoracic start in kyphotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
lumbar and thoracic start in Lordotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
10. In a Pilates class, if a participant struggles with maintaining balance during a
standing exercise, which ankle action might they need to focus on
, improving?
Abduction
Plantarflexion
Dorsiflexion
Adduction
11. If a Pilates instructor instructs a student to focus on medial rotation of the
shoulder, which direction should the student move their arm?
Towards the midline of the body
Away from the midline of the body
Upwards towards the ceiling
Downwards towards the floor
12. Which muscles are primarily responsible for exerting a downward posterior
pull on the pelvis?
Deltoids and trapezius
Gluteus maximus and hamstrings
Pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi
Rectus abdominis and quadriceps
13. Describe the significance of the frontal plane in relation to body
movements.
The frontal plane is significant for rotation movements, dividing the
body into upper and lower halves.
The frontal plane is used to describe the body's response to gravity,
dividing it into proximal and distal parts.
Update | Exam Prep
1. Describe the role of the lower trapezius and pectoralis minor in scapular
depression.
The lower trapezius and pectoralis minor are primarily responsible for
shoulder abduction.
The lower trapezius and pectoralis minor work together to pull the
scapula downward, facilitating movements such as reaching down.
The lower trapezius stabilizes the scapula while the pectoralis minor
elevates it.
The lower trapezius rotates the scapula upward while the pectoralis
minor assists in flexion.
2. Name the rotator cuff muscles (all are covering the scapula intrinsically).
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major
subscap, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, teres major
3. In a Stott Pilates class, if a participant is performing a spinal extension
exercise incorrectly, what might be a potential consequence for their
posture?
They will enhance their core strength significantly.
They will experience increased spinal rotation.
They will improve their flexibility in the spine.
They may develop poor posture due to inadequate engagement of
the back muscles.
,4. In a Pilates exercise focusing on shoulder stability, how might scapular
tipping be addressed to enhance performance?
By keeping the scapula elevated at all times.
By ensuring the scapula is properly aligned to maintain stability
during arm movements.
By allowing the scapula to tip excessively to increase flexibility.
By focusing solely on the arm movements without considering the
scapula.
5. Explain how flexion and extension at the elbow joint contribute to arm
movement.
Flexion involves rotating the forearm, while extension involves
straightening it.
Flexion decreases the angle between the forearm and the upper
arm, while extension increases it.
Flexion moves the arm away from the body, while extension brings it
closer.
Flexion and extension are both movements that occur in the shoulder
joint.
6. In a Pilates class, if an instructor asks participants to perform shoulder flexion
while lying on their back, which muscles are primarily engaged during this
action?
Rhomboids and supraspinatus
Deltoids and pectoralis major
Biceps brachii and triceps brachii
Latissimus dorsi and trapezius
,7. What are the two primary actions of the elbow joint?
Abduction and adduction
Elevation and depression
Flexion and extension
Rotation and circumduction
8. Describe the role of adductor muscles in hip movement and how they
contribute to stability.
Adductor muscles primarily extend the hip and assist in jumping.
Adductor muscles rotate the hip outward and support balance.
Adductor muscles are responsible for flexing the knee and stabilizing
the ankle.
Adductor muscles facilitate the movement of the hip towards the
midline and help maintain stability during activities.
9. What happens to the curvature of the spine during spinal extension?
cervical and lumbar start in Lordotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
cervical and lumbar start in kyphotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
lumbar and thoracic start in kyphotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
lumbar and thoracic start in Lordotic position and extend spine into
straightened position reversing the curve of Thoracic spine
10. In a Pilates class, if a participant struggles with maintaining balance during a
standing exercise, which ankle action might they need to focus on
, improving?
Abduction
Plantarflexion
Dorsiflexion
Adduction
11. If a Pilates instructor instructs a student to focus on medial rotation of the
shoulder, which direction should the student move their arm?
Towards the midline of the body
Away from the midline of the body
Upwards towards the ceiling
Downwards towards the floor
12. Which muscles are primarily responsible for exerting a downward posterior
pull on the pelvis?
Deltoids and trapezius
Gluteus maximus and hamstrings
Pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi
Rectus abdominis and quadriceps
13. Describe the significance of the frontal plane in relation to body
movements.
The frontal plane is significant for rotation movements, dividing the
body into upper and lower halves.
The frontal plane is used to describe the body's response to gravity,
dividing it into proximal and distal parts.
