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.
