NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is a characteristic of Lower Cross Syndrome regarding lower limb alignment?

1. Internally rotated hips

2. Flexed knees

3. Hyperextended knees

4. Adducted thighs

The correct answer is: Internally rotated hips

Lower Cross Syndrome is characterized by specific patterns of muscular imbalances, particularly in the pelvis and lower limbs, which can lead to altered lower limb alignment. In this syndrome, there is often an imbalance where certain muscles become tight while others weaken. One prominent feature of Lower Cross Syndrome is the positioning of the hips. In those affected by this syndrome, the hip flexors (like the iliopsoas) become tight due to prolonged sitting or certain activities, leading to the shortening of these muscles. Conversely, the gluteal muscles often become weak and inhibited. When the hip flexors are tight and the glutes are weak, this imbalance can pull the pelvis forward and affect the alignment of the hips, causing them to rotate inward. Internally rotated hips subsequently affect how the legs align during movement, which is a key characteristic of Lower Cross Syndrome. This is why the correct answer highlights the presence of internally rotated hips, as it is a direct consequence of the muscular imbalances that define Lower Cross Syndrome.