NSCA-CPT Human Anatomy and Physiology Diagnostic 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which plane of motion does internal and external rotation of the shoulder occur in?
- Frontal plane
- Sagittal plane
- Transverse plane (Correct answer)
- Diagonal plane
Correct answer: Transverse plane
Internal and external rotation are rotational movements occurring around a vertical (longitudinal) axis, placing them in the transverse plane.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the pulmonary circulation?
- Deliver oxygenated blood to systemic tissues
- Exchange CO2 for O2 across alveolar capillaries (Correct answer)
- Regulate systemic blood pressure
- Transport nutrients absorbed from the gut
Correct answer: Exchange CO2 for O2 across alveolar capillaries
Pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the right heart to the lungs, where CO2 is expelled and O2 is absorbed before blood returns to the left heart.
Question 3: Which structure connects muscle to bone and transmits the force of muscular contraction?
- Ligament
- Tendon (Correct answer)
- Fascia
- Aponeurosis
Correct answer: Tendon
Tendons are dense, fibrous connective tissue bands composed primarily of type I collagen that attach muscles to their bony insertion points.
Question 4: An athlete performing a barbell back squat primarily engages which muscles during the concentric phase?
- Hip flexors and knee flexors
- Gluteus maximus, quadriceps, and hamstrings (Correct answer)
- Erector spinae and gastrocnemius only
- Adductors and plantar flexors only
Correct answer: Gluteus maximus, quadriceps, and hamstrings
Rising from the squat position concentrically activates the gluteus maximus (hip extension), quadriceps (knee extension), and hamstrings (assist hip extension).
Question 5: Which autonomic nervous system division increases heart rate and prepares the body for physical exertion?
- Parasympathetic
- Enteric
- Somatic
- Sympathetic (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sympathetic
Sympathetic nervous system activation (fight-or-flight) releases norepinephrine and epinephrine, increasing heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output.
Question 6: The rotator cuff is composed of which four muscles?
- Deltoid, pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, teres major
- Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis (Correct answer)
- Biceps brachii, triceps brachii, coracobrachialis, teres minor
- Trapezius, rhomboid, serratus anterior, subscapularis
Correct answer: Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis
The four rotator cuff muscles (SITS) — Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis — stabilize the glenohumeral joint and control humeral rotation.
Question 7: Which bone serves as the attachment point for the quadriceps tendon via the patellar tendon?
- Femur
- Fibula
- Tibia (Correct answer)
- Calcaneus
Correct answer: Tibia
The patellar tendon extends from the inferior pole of the patella to the tibial tuberosity, transmitting quadriceps force to extend the knee.
NSCA-CPT Human Anatomy and Physiology Diagnostic 3
Which plane of motion does internal and external rotation of the shoulder occur in?