National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

Which of the following is the most appropriate cue to correct a participant performing a single-leg squat?

1. Lift your chest

2. Let your knee go past your toes

3. Keep your back straight

4. Sit back like you're seating yourself onto a chair

The correct answer is: Sit back like you're seating yourself onto a chair

The most appropriate cue for correcting a participant performing a single-leg squat is to instruct them to "Sit back like you’re seating yourself onto a chair." This cue emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper alignment and body mechanics during the movement. It helps the participant to focus on activating the glutes and engaging the hips, which are essential for a safe and effective squat. When performing a single-leg squat, it is crucial for the individual to shift their weight back into their heel and hinge at their hips, simulating the action of sitting down. This approach not only helps prevent excessive forward lean, which can strain the knees and lower back, but also encourages proper balance and stability throughout the movement. In contrast, other cues may not fully address the necessary movement patterns. For example, lifting the chest may lead to an upright posture that doesn't facilitate the sit-back action needed for an effective squat. Allowing the knee to go past the toes can compromise knee health and stability, which is generally discouraged in squat mechanics. Keeping the back straight is important, but it does not provide the same practical guidance for the specific movement dynamic required in a single-leg squat as the "sit back" cue does. Thus, the chosen cue provides clear and actionable guidance that promotes better technique