POLESTAR PILATES EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS|| GRADED A+|| LATEST
UPDATE 2026
tripod WB -CORRECTANSWER disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers -CORRECTANSWER primary job is
proprioception and stiffness
Deep local muscles -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Activates sub-consciously and sub-
threshold in anticipation of movement
rectus abdomens -CORRECTANSWER The primary purpose is to accelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back -CORRECTANSWER Create stiffness and control around
the spine based on the anticipated activity
,Fascia -CORRECTANSWER A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that
links all of our cells together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament -CORRECTANSWER Prevents collapse or shift forward
of spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum -CORRECTANSWER Different from other ligaments as it is yellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments -CORRECTANSWER Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium
and sacrum together
TA -CORRECTANSWER Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the
posterior lumbar fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia.
psoas major -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar
fascia
,pubococcygeus muscle -CORRECTANSWER Suspended and held in place by this
sling
intervertebral disc -CORRECTANSWER Functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation -CORRECTANSWER Places the vertebrae in their optimal position,
minimizing destructive forces to the disc
annulus -CORRECTANSWER The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the
disc
nucleus pulposes -CORRECTANSWER The jelly like center that provides the
distribution of forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion -CORRECTANSWER Compresses the anterior
portion of the disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension -CORRECTANSWER Compresses the posterior
portion of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability -CORRECTANSWER Control of mobility
, Panjabi's Model for Stability -CORRECTANSWER Stability comes from motor control,
inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries -CORRECTANSWER Occur at end range of motion
force couple -CORRECTANSWER Muscles working together to create increased
stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings -CORRECTANSWER Work synergistically together with the fascial
system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER Not specified in the notes
multifidus -CORRECTANSWER One aspect of Core Control is - The appropriate
strength for the desired movement
AND ANSWERS|| GRADED A+|| LATEST
UPDATE 2026
tripod WB -CORRECTANSWER disc in front and facets in back
Local muscles or deep local stabilizers -CORRECTANSWER primary job is
proprioception and stiffness
Deep local muscles -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Activates sub-consciously and sub-
threshold in anticipation of movement
rectus abdomens -CORRECTANSWER The primary purpose is to accelerate or
decelerate flexion and extension of the spine
Deep muscles of the back -CORRECTANSWER Create stiffness and control around
the spine based on the anticipated activity
,Fascia -CORRECTANSWER A living, dynamic, communicating tissue in our body that
links all of our cells together
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament -CORRECTANSWER Prevents collapse or shift forward
of spinal vertebrae
ligament flavum -CORRECTANSWER Different from other ligaments as it is yellow,
elastic, made to stretch and expand
Pelvic ligaments -CORRECTANSWER Extremely thick ligaments that connect the ilium
and sacrum together
TA -CORRECTANSWER Wraps all the way around the body and connects to the
posterior lumbar fascia, or the thoracolumbar fascia.
psoas major -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER Connects the arm to the thoracolumbar
fascia
,pubococcygeus muscle -CORRECTANSWER Suspended and held in place by this
sling
intervertebral disc -CORRECTANSWER Functions as a shock absorber
axial elongation -CORRECTANSWER Places the vertebrae in their optimal position,
minimizing destructive forces to the disc
annulus -CORRECTANSWER The outer shell that provides strength and stability to the
disc
nucleus pulposes -CORRECTANSWER The jelly like center that provides the
distribution of forces between vertebrae
effects on disc during spine flexion -CORRECTANSWER Compresses the anterior
portion of the disc, pushing the nucleus posteriorly
effects on disc during spine extension -CORRECTANSWER Compresses the posterior
portion of the disc, pushing the nucleus anteriorly
stability -CORRECTANSWER Control of mobility
, Panjabi's Model for Stability -CORRECTANSWER Stability comes from motor control,
inert structures, contractile structures
Injuries -CORRECTANSWER Occur at end range of motion
force couple -CORRECTANSWER Muscles working together to create increased
stiffness, strength or acceleration
Muscular slings -CORRECTANSWER Work synergistically together with the fascial
system to optimize movement and performance
Neutral spine -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 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 -
CORRECTANSWER Not specified in the notes
multifidus -CORRECTANSWER One aspect of Core Control is - The appropriate
strength for the desired movement
