Kinesiology & Body Mechanics Flashcards
7 cards from real Massage Therapy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Kinesiology & Body Mechanics flashcards as text
Which term describes movement that decreases the angle between two body segments?
Answer: Flexion
Flexion decreases the joint angle, such as bending the elbow or knee.
Which anatomical plane divides the body into left and right halves?
Answer: Sagittal
The sagittal plane (also called the median plane) divides the body into left and right portions.
What term describes moving a limb away from the midline of the body?
Answer: Abduction
Abduction moves a limb away from the body's midline, such as raising an arm out to the side.
Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle shortens while generating tension?
Answer: Concentric
A concentric contraction occurs when a muscle shortens as it generates force, such as the biceps during a curl.
The agonist muscle in a movement is best described as the:
Answer: Prime mover
The agonist, or prime mover, is the muscle primarily responsible for producing a specific movement.
Which joint type allows the greatest range of motion in multiple planes?
Answer: Ball-and-socket
Ball-and-socket joints, such as the hip and shoulder, allow movement in all three planes including rotation.
Which body mechanics principle is most important for preventing therapist injury during a session?
Answer: Using body weight rather than arm strength
Leaning body weight into strokes reduces arm fatigue and musculoskeletal strain, a core principle of good therapist body mechanics.