ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What does it imply if a client's leg abducts during the Thomas Test?

1. Rectus femoris is tight

2. False positive for iliopsoas tightness

3. Gluteus maximus is not engaged

4. Iliotibial band is flexible

The correct answer is: False positive for iliopsoas tightness

When a client's leg abducts during the Thomas Test, it primarily indicates a potential issue with the iliopsoas muscle. The Thomas Test is designed to assess hip flexor tightness. If the leg abducts rather than remains in a neutral position, it can suggest that the iliopsoas is tight, but it can also lead to a false positive assessment of iliopsoas tightness due to compensatory movement patterns. In this case, the abduction may occur because of tightness in other surrounding muscles, such as the tensor fasciae latae or iliotibial band, which can pull the leg outward. This subtle interaction can mislead the assessment of iliopsoas tightness, leading to a misinterpretation of the flexibility of the hip flexors when it is actually reflecting the quality and engagement of neighboring muscle groups. Therefore, abduction during the Thomas Test suggests the possibility of not only involvement of the hip flexor but also reflects the importance of considering the overall flexibility and engagement of the surrounding musculature.