NCSF-CPT Exercise Science & Anatomy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What term describes the shortening of a muscle during force production?
- Eccentric contraction
- Isometric contraction
- Concentric contraction (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic contraction
Correct answer: Concentric contraction
A concentric contraction occurs when a muscle shortens as it produces force, such as the upward phase of a bicep curl.
Question 2: Which joint allows the greatest range of motion in the human body?
- Knee joint
- Hip joint
- Shoulder (glenohumeral) joint (Correct answer)
- Elbow joint
Correct answer: Shoulder (glenohumeral) joint
The glenohumeral (shoulder) joint is a ball-and-socket joint that permits the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body.
Question 3: What is the function of the stretch reflex (myotatic reflex)?
- Inhibits muscle contraction to prevent injury
- Stimulates muscle contraction when the muscle is rapidly stretched (Correct answer)
- Prevents muscle hypertrophy
- Regulates body temperature during exercise
Correct answer: Stimulates muscle contraction when the muscle is rapidly stretched
The stretch reflex causes a rapid muscle contraction in response to sudden muscle lengthening, protecting the muscle from tearing.
Question 4: Which of the following is considered a synergist muscle?
- A muscle that opposes the movement
- A muscle that assists the prime mover (Correct answer)
- A muscle that stabilizes the joint
- A muscle that initiates the movement
Correct answer: A muscle that assists the prime mover
A synergist assists the prime mover (agonist) by contributing force or refining the movement pattern.
Question 5: What is the primary role of the rotator cuff?
- Elbow flexion and extension
- Stabilization of the glenohumeral joint (Correct answer)
- Spinal extension
- Hip abduction
Correct answer: Stabilization of the glenohumeral joint
The rotator cuff muscles (SITS) stabilize the head of the humerus within the glenoid fossa during shoulder movements.
Question 6: What physiological term describes the increase in muscle size due to resistance training?
- Hyperplasia
- Atrophy
- Hypertrophy (Correct answer)
- Sarcopenia
Correct answer: Hypertrophy
Muscle hypertrophy refers to the increase in muscle fiber size (cross-sectional area) resulting from resistance training stimuli.
NCSF-CPT Exercise Science & Anatomy 2
What term describes the shortening of a muscle during force production?