ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Hyperextension refers to which of the following actions?

1. Extension past the normal degree

2. Flexion beyond the neutral position

3. Movement sideward toward the midline

4. Rotation away from the midline

The correct answer is: Extension past the normal degree

Hyperextension is defined as the movement of a joint beyond its normal straightened position, resulting in an angle greater than what is typical. This can occur in various joints throughout the body, such as the knee or the elbow, where extending the limb further than straight can lead to an extended range beyond the anatomical limits. In contrast, the other options describe different types of movements. Flexion beyond the neutral position refers to bending a joint, which is essentially the opposite of hyperextension. Movement sideward toward the midline describes adduction, and rotation away from the midline is known as external or lateral rotation. Both of these movements involve changes in the position of the limbs relative to the body's midline but do not pertain directly to the concept of hyperextension. Thus, the correct response accurately captures the definition of hyperextension in terms of joint movement.