Massage Therapy Kinesiology & Body Mechanics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes movement that decreases the angle between two body segments?
- Flexion (Correct answer)
- Extension
- Abduction
- Adduction
Correct answer: Flexion
Flexion decreases the joint angle, such as bending the elbow or knee.
Question 2: Which anatomical plane divides the body into left and right halves?
- Frontal
- Transverse
- Sagittal (Correct answer)
- Oblique
Correct answer: Sagittal
The sagittal plane (also called the median plane) divides the body into left and right portions.
Question 3: What term describes moving a limb away from the midline of the body?
- Adduction
- Abduction (Correct answer)
- Flexion
- Rotation
Correct answer: Abduction
Abduction moves a limb away from the body's midline, such as raising an arm out to the side.
Question 4: Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle shortens while generating tension?
- Eccentric
- Isometric
- Concentric (Correct answer)
- Isotonic
Correct answer: Concentric
A concentric contraction occurs when a muscle shortens as it generates force, such as the biceps during a curl.
Question 5: The agonist muscle in a movement is best described as the:
- Antagonist
- Synergist
- Prime mover (Correct answer)
- Stabilizer
Correct answer: Prime mover
The agonist, or prime mover, is the muscle primarily responsible for producing a specific movement.
Question 6: Which joint type allows the greatest range of motion in multiple planes?
- Hinge
- Pivot
- Saddle
- Ball-and-socket (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ball-and-socket
Ball-and-socket joints, such as the hip and shoulder, allow movement in all three planes including rotation.
Question 7: Which body mechanics principle is most important for preventing therapist injury during a session?
- Locking the knees while working
- Placing all weight on the back foot
- Using body weight rather than arm strength (Correct answer)
- Hunching over the table for leverage
Correct 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.
Massage Therapy Kinesiology & Body Mechanics 1
Which term describes movement that decreases the angle between two body segments?