NSCF Certified Personal Trainer Practice Exam

The most suitable exercise for promoting spinal extension and preventing its decline in older adults is back extensions. As individuals age, there is a natural decrease in spinal flexibility and strength in the muscles responsible for extending the spine. Trunk extensor muscles, including the erector spinae, often weaken, leading to a forward-leaning posture and potentially increasing the risk of back pain and injury.

Back extensions specifically target the muscles along the spine, helping to strengthen them and improve overall back health. This exercise promotes proper posture and spinal alignment, which is crucial for maintaining mobility and functional abilities in older adults. By engaging in back extensions regularly, older adults can counteract the effects of aging on spinal extension, thereby reducing the risk of falls and enhancing quality of life.

While deadlifts also involve spinal extension and engage similar musculature, they require more significant technique and may not be suitable for all older adults, especially those with existing mobility or strength concerns. Reverse flies and plank holds mostly target upper back and core stabilization, respectively, but do not specifically emphasize spinal extension as effectively as back extensions do.