ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which movement decreases the joint angle to bring body parts closer together?

1. Flexion

2. Extension

3. Abduction

4. Adduction

The correct answer is: Flexion

Flexion is defined as the movement that decreases the angle between two body parts, bringing them closer together. This typically occurs at joints such as the elbow or knee; for example, when you bend your elbow to lift a weight closer to your shoulder, you are performing flexion. Understanding the definition of flexion in the context of biomechanics and anatomy is vital for personal trainers, as it encompasses many everyday movements and exercises. Recognizing that other movements, such as extension, increase the angle between body parts, or that abduction and adduction refer to movement away from or toward the midline of the body, respectively, helps clarify why flexion is the appropriate term for this question.