Movement Foundations Module 9

What is the central shift reflected in current pregnancy exercise guidelines compared to older, more restrictive advice?

Pregnant clients should avoid exercise entirely until after birth Regular activity throughout pregnancy is associated with real benefit for mother and baby, provided it’s appropriately individualised Only previously active women should exercise during pregnancy High-intensity exercise is recommended for all pregnant clients regardless of prior activity level

During trimester 1, what causes the “over-breathing” phenomenon some clients experience?

Rising progesterone increasing the sensitivity of the brain’s respiratory centre A drop in blood volume The diaphragm shifting upward due to the growing uterus A reduction in resting heart rate

Why does diastasis recti typically become structurally relevant during trimester 2?

It only ever occurs after birth, never during pregnancy The linea alba stretches as the uterus expands, and some separation is a normal, expected adaptation It results from a structural weakness present before pregnancy It’s caused specifically by abdominal exercise during pregnancy

What is the key distinction between the evidence on supine sleep position and supine exercise position in later pregnancy?

There is no meaningful distinction; both carry identical risk Neither position carries any documented physiological effect Supine exercise is always more dangerous than supine sleep Supine sleep evidence relates to prolonged, unconscious overnight positioning, while supine exercise evidence relates to brief, monitored activity, which is generally better tolerated

According to current evidence, what matters more for postnatal recovery than the width of a diastasis recti gap?

Whether the abdominal wall can generate and transfer force, manage intra-abdominal pressure, and support the spine under load How quickly the gap closes numerically Avoiding all abdominal exercise until the gap fully closes The client’s age at the time of birth

What is the most useful first question to ask a client managing an injury, since it does most of the work in planning modifications?

How old are they How many classes have they attended What is their occupation What aggravates it

How should a new injury generally be approached differently from a long-standing one in a class setting?

A new injury calls for closer observation and more frequent check-ins, since the client may not yet know what aggravates it Long-standing injuries require closer, more frequent check-ins, since the client is unfamiliar with their limits New injuries need no particular attention, since they’re less serious There is no meaningful difference in approach

Anterior knee pain is multifactorial. Which of the following may be relevant when modifying exercise for a client experiencing it?

Rotator cuff imbalance, since this is the primary driver of anterior knee pain Erector spinae weakness alone Load tolerance, movement pattern, hip and knee strength, training volume, and aggravating ranges Pelvic floor overactivity alone

Which of the following is a warning sign that a back presentation sits outside what a class modification can address, and should be referred on?

Mild stiffness at the start of class Nerve pain, pins and needles, high-level pain, or an inability to sleep General fatigue after a long day A client mentioning they slept awkwardly

What is sarcopenia, and why is it particularly relevant when teaching older adults?

A joint condition affecting flexibility; it has no bearing on training approach A cardiovascular condition unrelated to strength training Age-related decline in muscle mass, which is why resistance work matters for maintaining independence and functional capacity A condition exclusive to postnatal clients

Why might an older client’s own neutral spine look different from a younger client’s?

Neutral spine is identical for every body regardless of age Older clients no longer have a functioning spine curve Intervertebral discs lose hydration over time, which can reduce height and increase thoracic kyphosis Neutral spine only applies to clients under 40

What teaching approach is recommended for a client showing signs of cognitive change during class?

Avoid all physical contact and rely solely on verbal cueing Shorten the session to avoid any cognitive demand Remove all familiar exercises to maximise challenge Hands-on, tactile cueing can help where a client struggles to translate a verbal cue into movement

Pre and Postnatal Considerations and Injury Modification

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