Massage Therapy Kinesiology & Body Mechanics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which muscle opposes and controls the action of the prime mover?
- Agonist
- Antagonist (Correct answer)
- Synergist
- Fixator
Correct answer: Antagonist
The antagonist muscle opposes the prime mover and eccentrically controls movement speed and range.
Question 2: Circumduction is best described as:
- Rotation of a segment around its own long axis
- A cone-shaped movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction (Correct answer)
- Moving a limb toward the midline of the body
- A decrease in the joint angle
Correct answer: A cone-shaped movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction
Circumduction traces a cone shape in space and is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
Question 3: The lumbopelvic-hip complex refers to:
- The lumbar vertebrae alone
- The interrelationship of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joints (Correct answer)
- The sacroiliac joint only
- The iliopsoas muscle group
Correct answer: The interrelationship of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joints
The lumbopelvic-hip complex describes the functional unit formed by the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joints that work together during movement.
Question 4: In anatomical position, the body is:
- Lying supine with palms facing downward
- Standing upright with palms facing forward and feet together (Correct answer)
- Lying prone with arms at the sides
- Seated with knees bent at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Standing upright with palms facing forward and feet together
Anatomical position is the standard reference: body erect, palms facing anteriorly, feet slightly apart or together.
Question 5: Synergist muscles primarily function to:
- Oppose the prime mover throughout movement
- Assist the prime mover and help eliminate unwanted motion (Correct answer)
- Stabilize the insertion of the prime mover
- Replace the prime mover when it is fatigued
Correct answer: Assist the prime mover and help eliminate unwanted motion
Synergists assist the prime mover and reduce unnecessary movements to make the action more efficient.
Question 6: Plantar flexion is the movement that:
- Bends the foot upward toward the shin
- Points the foot downward away from the shin (Correct answer)
- Turns the sole of the foot outward
- Turns the sole of the foot inward
Correct answer: Points the foot downward away from the shin
Plantar flexion points the foot downward (plantarward), as in pressing the gas pedal or standing on tiptoe.
Question 7: Which ergonomic habit best protects a massage therapist from repetitive strain injury over a career?
- Keeping arms fully extended during all strokes
- Varying hand tools and techniques regularly throughout each session (Correct answer)
- Using only thumb pressure for deep tissue work
- Maintaining one consistent posture for efficiency
Correct answer: Varying hand tools and techniques regularly throughout each session
Rotating hand techniques (fist, forearm, elbow, palm) distributes stress across different tissues and prevents overuse of any single structure.
Massage Therapy Kinesiology & Body Mechanics 2
Which muscle opposes and controls the action of the prime mover?