Stott Pilates Written Exam 2024 – Complete Questions
and Solutions | Updated Edition
Question 1:
Which of the following is one of the five basic principles of Stott Pilates?
A) Muscle hypertrophy
B) Pelvic placement
C) Interval training
D) Cardiovascular endurance
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Pelvic placement is one of the five basic principles of Stott Pilates, along with
breathing, rib cage placement, scapular stabilization, and head/cervical placement, emphasizing
neutral spine alignment for safe movement. Muscle hypertrophy (A) is a strength training goal,
not a principle. Interval training (C) and cardiovascular endurance (D) are aerobic concepts
unrelated to core Pilates biomechanics.
Question 2:
Which of the following does not represent how STOTT Pilates has evolved from Joseph Pilates'
original method?
A) Emphasis on spinal flexion
B) Focus on a flatter spine than the original method
C) Integration of modern exercise science
D) Use of props for modifications
Correct Answer: B
Solution: STOTT Pilates emphasizes a neutral spine rather than a flatter one, evolving from the
original by incorporating contemporary anatomy and rehabilitation principles (C, D), while
reducing excessive flexion (A) for safety. The original method often used a more arched or
flattened approach, but STOTT avoids this (B) to prevent injury.
Question 3:
What is another term used to describe the mid-sagittal plane?
A) Transverse
B) Coronal
C) Frontal
D) Medial
,Correct Answer: D
Solution: The mid-sagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves and is
synonymous with the medial plane (D), used in Pilates for alignment cues. Transverse (A) is
horizontal. Coronal (B) or frontal (C) divides anterior/posterior.
Question 4:
Rotation does not occur at which of the following joints?
A) Knee joint
B) Pelvis
C) Elbow joint
D) Spine
Correct Answer: A
Solution: The knee joint primarily allows flexion/extension with minimal rotation, unlike the pelvis
(B), elbow (pronation/supination, C), and spine (thoracic rotation, D). In Pilates, knee stability is
cued for alignment in exercises like Footwork.
Question 5:
What does contra-lateral mean?
A) Same side of body
B) Front side of body
C) Opposite side of body
D) Upper side of body
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Contra-lateral refers to the opposite side of the body (C), important for cross-patterning
in Pilates exercises like Mermaid to enhance coordination. Same side (A) is ipsilateral. Front (B)
anterior. Upper (D) superior.
Question 6:
The scapula articulates with which of the following?
A) Ribs
B) Clavicle
C) Spine
D) Humerus
Correct Answer: B
,Solution: The scapula articulates with the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint (B), crucial for
scapular stabilization in Pilates principles. Ribs (A) and spine (D) are attachments, but not
primary articulation. Humerus (C) is glenohumeral.
Question 7:
Which of the following is not one of Joseph Pilates' original principles?
A) Breathing
B) Concentration
C) Pelvic placement
D) Control
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Joseph Pilates' original principles include breathing, concentration, control, centering,
precision, and flowing movement (A, B, D), but pelvic placement is a STOTT evolution for
neutral alignment. Centering (original) relates to power house, but placement specifies position.
Question 8:
In STOTT Pilates, the power house refers to:
A) The abdominal muscles
B) The entire core including pelvic floor and diaphragm
C) The lower back only
D) The shoulder girdle
Correct Answer: B
Solution: The power house in STOTT is the integrated core (B), encompassing transversus
abdominis, pelvic floor, multifidus, and diaphragm for stability. Abdominals (A) partial. Lower
back (C) multifidus. Shoulders (D) separate.
Question 9:
Which cue promotes proper rib cage placement in STOTT Pilates?
A) Lift the chest
B) Keep ribs "down and in"
C) Arch the back
D) Push the shoulders forward
Correct Answer: B
Solution: "Ribs down and in" (B) prevents thoracic elevation, maintaining neutral spine and
engaging obliques for core control. Lifting (A) promotes overextension. Arching (C) lordosis.
Forward shoulders (D) poor posture.
, Question 10:
For a client with low back pain, a modification for Hundred prep is:
A) Full Hundred with legs at 90 degrees
B) Bent knees to chest
C) Legs extended overhead
D) Arms overhead
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Bent knees/tabletop (B) reduces lumbar stress while building core, per STOTT safety
guidelines. Full (A) contraindicated. Overhead (C, D) increases flexion load.
Question 11:
The primary muscle worked in Single Leg Circles on the Mat is:
A) Hip flexors (iliopsoas)
B) Glutes
C) Hamstrings
D) Quadriceps
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Iliopsoas initiates hip flexion/circumduction (A) for control. Glutes (B) stabilization.
Hamstrings (C) opposition. Quads (D) knee extension.
Question 12:
In Reformer Footwork, the starting position for neutral pelvis is:
A) Imprinted spine
B) Neutral with natural lumbar curve
C) Full flexion
D) Extension
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Neutral pelvis maintains lumbar lordosis (B) for spinal health in STOTT. Imprint (A) for
specific cases. Flexion (C) or extension (D) alters curve.
Question 13:
A contraindication for Cadillac Teaser is:
A) Recent abdominal surgery
B) Strong core
C) Flexible hamstrings
D) Good balance
and Solutions | Updated Edition
Question 1:
Which of the following is one of the five basic principles of Stott Pilates?
A) Muscle hypertrophy
B) Pelvic placement
C) Interval training
D) Cardiovascular endurance
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Pelvic placement is one of the five basic principles of Stott Pilates, along with
breathing, rib cage placement, scapular stabilization, and head/cervical placement, emphasizing
neutral spine alignment for safe movement. Muscle hypertrophy (A) is a strength training goal,
not a principle. Interval training (C) and cardiovascular endurance (D) are aerobic concepts
unrelated to core Pilates biomechanics.
Question 2:
Which of the following does not represent how STOTT Pilates has evolved from Joseph Pilates'
original method?
A) Emphasis on spinal flexion
B) Focus on a flatter spine than the original method
C) Integration of modern exercise science
D) Use of props for modifications
Correct Answer: B
Solution: STOTT Pilates emphasizes a neutral spine rather than a flatter one, evolving from the
original by incorporating contemporary anatomy and rehabilitation principles (C, D), while
reducing excessive flexion (A) for safety. The original method often used a more arched or
flattened approach, but STOTT avoids this (B) to prevent injury.
Question 3:
What is another term used to describe the mid-sagittal plane?
A) Transverse
B) Coronal
C) Frontal
D) Medial
,Correct Answer: D
Solution: The mid-sagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves and is
synonymous with the medial plane (D), used in Pilates for alignment cues. Transverse (A) is
horizontal. Coronal (B) or frontal (C) divides anterior/posterior.
Question 4:
Rotation does not occur at which of the following joints?
A) Knee joint
B) Pelvis
C) Elbow joint
D) Spine
Correct Answer: A
Solution: The knee joint primarily allows flexion/extension with minimal rotation, unlike the pelvis
(B), elbow (pronation/supination, C), and spine (thoracic rotation, D). In Pilates, knee stability is
cued for alignment in exercises like Footwork.
Question 5:
What does contra-lateral mean?
A) Same side of body
B) Front side of body
C) Opposite side of body
D) Upper side of body
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Contra-lateral refers to the opposite side of the body (C), important for cross-patterning
in Pilates exercises like Mermaid to enhance coordination. Same side (A) is ipsilateral. Front (B)
anterior. Upper (D) superior.
Question 6:
The scapula articulates with which of the following?
A) Ribs
B) Clavicle
C) Spine
D) Humerus
Correct Answer: B
,Solution: The scapula articulates with the clavicle at the acromioclavicular joint (B), crucial for
scapular stabilization in Pilates principles. Ribs (A) and spine (D) are attachments, but not
primary articulation. Humerus (C) is glenohumeral.
Question 7:
Which of the following is not one of Joseph Pilates' original principles?
A) Breathing
B) Concentration
C) Pelvic placement
D) Control
Correct Answer: C
Solution: Joseph Pilates' original principles include breathing, concentration, control, centering,
precision, and flowing movement (A, B, D), but pelvic placement is a STOTT evolution for
neutral alignment. Centering (original) relates to power house, but placement specifies position.
Question 8:
In STOTT Pilates, the power house refers to:
A) The abdominal muscles
B) The entire core including pelvic floor and diaphragm
C) The lower back only
D) The shoulder girdle
Correct Answer: B
Solution: The power house in STOTT is the integrated core (B), encompassing transversus
abdominis, pelvic floor, multifidus, and diaphragm for stability. Abdominals (A) partial. Lower
back (C) multifidus. Shoulders (D) separate.
Question 9:
Which cue promotes proper rib cage placement in STOTT Pilates?
A) Lift the chest
B) Keep ribs "down and in"
C) Arch the back
D) Push the shoulders forward
Correct Answer: B
Solution: "Ribs down and in" (B) prevents thoracic elevation, maintaining neutral spine and
engaging obliques for core control. Lifting (A) promotes overextension. Arching (C) lordosis.
Forward shoulders (D) poor posture.
, Question 10:
For a client with low back pain, a modification for Hundred prep is:
A) Full Hundred with legs at 90 degrees
B) Bent knees to chest
C) Legs extended overhead
D) Arms overhead
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Bent knees/tabletop (B) reduces lumbar stress while building core, per STOTT safety
guidelines. Full (A) contraindicated. Overhead (C, D) increases flexion load.
Question 11:
The primary muscle worked in Single Leg Circles on the Mat is:
A) Hip flexors (iliopsoas)
B) Glutes
C) Hamstrings
D) Quadriceps
Correct Answer: A
Solution: Iliopsoas initiates hip flexion/circumduction (A) for control. Glutes (B) stabilization.
Hamstrings (C) opposition. Quads (D) knee extension.
Question 12:
In Reformer Footwork, the starting position for neutral pelvis is:
A) Imprinted spine
B) Neutral with natural lumbar curve
C) Full flexion
D) Extension
Correct Answer: B
Solution: Neutral pelvis maintains lumbar lordosis (B) for spinal health in STOTT. Imprint (A) for
specific cases. Flexion (C) or extension (D) alters curve.
Question 13:
A contraindication for Cadillac Teaser is:
A) Recent abdominal surgery
B) Strong core
C) Flexible hamstrings
D) Good balance
