NASM-CPT NASM Movement Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) used for in NASM?
- To identify movement compensations and muscle imbalances throughout the kinetic chain (Correct answer)
- To test maximum squat strength
- To measure cardiovascular fitness
- To assess flexibility only
Correct answer: To identify movement compensations and muscle imbalances throughout the kinetic chain
The OHSA evaluates the integrated function of the kinetic chain by observing compensations at the feet/ankles, knees, lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, and shoulders during a functional movement pattern.
Question 2: What does an anterior pelvic tilt during the overhead squat indicate?
- Overactive hip flexors and erector spinae with underactive gluteus maximus and core stabilizers (Correct answer)
- Perfect form and alignment
- Overactive hamstrings
- Weak hip flexors
Correct answer: Overactive hip flexors and erector spinae with underactive gluteus maximus and core stabilizers
Anterior pelvic tilt indicates overactive hip flexors (psoas, rectus femoris) and erector spinae paired with underactive gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and intrinsic core stabilizers.
Question 3: What is the NASM Corrective Exercise Continuum?
- A four-step process: inhibit overactive muscles, lengthen them, activate underactive muscles, then integrate into functional movement (Correct answer)
- A single stretching routine
- A progressive weight training program
- A cardiovascular training system
Correct answer: A four-step process: inhibit overactive muscles, lengthen them, activate underactive muscles, then integrate into functional movement
The Corrective Exercise Continuum follows four steps: Inhibit (foam rolling overactive muscles), Lengthen (static stretching), Activate (isolated strengthening of underactive muscles), and Integrate (functional movement patterns).
Question 4: What is the kinetic chain concept in NASM?
- The interdependent system of muscles, joints, and nerves that work together to produce movement (Correct answer)
- A chain used in resistance training
- A single muscle group's action
- A cardiovascular training concept
Correct answer: The interdependent system of muscles, joints, and nerves that work together to produce movement
The kinetic chain describes how the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems function as an integrated unit, where dysfunction in one component affects the entire system's movement quality.
Question 5: What are the five kinetic chain checkpoints during movement assessment?
- Feet/ankles, knees, lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (LPHC), shoulders, and head/cervical spine (Correct answer)
- Only the knees and shoulders
- Elbows, wrists, and fingers
- Chest, abs, and lower back
Correct answer: Feet/ankles, knees, lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (LPHC), shoulders, and head/cervical spine
The five checkpoints are systematically observed from the ground up: feet/ankles, knees, LPHC (lumbar spine, pelvis, hip), shoulder complex, and head/cervical spine, identifying compensations at each level.
Question 6: What does knee valgus during a squat assessment indicate?
- Overactive adductors and lateral gastrocnemius with underactive gluteus medius and hip external rotators (Correct answer)
- Strong knee stabilizers
- Overactive gluteus medius
- Perfect lower extremity alignment
Correct answer: Overactive adductors and lateral gastrocnemius with underactive gluteus medius and hip external rotators
Knee valgus (knees caving inward) indicates overactive adductors, TFL/IT band, and lateral gastrocnemius, with underactive gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and VMO (vastus medialis oblique).
NASM-CPT NASM Movement Assessment 1
What is the Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) used for in NASM?