ACE ACE Anatomy & Biomechanics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which joint action occurs at the knee during the downward phase of a squat?
- Extension and abduction
- Flexion (knee flexion) (Correct answer)
- Plantarflexion
- Internal rotation only
Correct answer: Flexion (knee flexion)
During the downward phase of a squat the knee undergoes flexion, bending as the thigh and lower leg angle decreases.
Question 2: What is the anatomical term for moving a limb away from the midline of the body?
- Adduction
- Flexion
- Abduction (Correct answer)
- Circumduction
Correct answer: Abduction
Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the body's midline, such as raising the arm laterally to shoulder height.
Question 3: Which muscle group is the primary agonist during a hip hinge movement such as a deadlift or Romanian deadlift?
- Quadriceps
- Hip flexors
- Hamstrings and gluteus maximus (Correct answer)
- Tibialis anterior
Correct answer: Hamstrings and gluteus maximus
The hamstrings and gluteus maximus are the primary movers during hip extension in a hip hinge, generating force to return the torso to upright.
Question 4: What does the term 'neutral spine' refer to in group fitness instruction?
- A fully flexed lumbar spine
- A completely flat (posterior pelvic tilt) back
- Maintaining the natural curves of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine (Correct answer)
- Maximum spinal extension
Correct answer: Maintaining the natural curves of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine
Neutral spine means preserving the natural lordotic and kyphotic curves of the spine, which distributes load optimally and reduces injury risk.
Question 5: Which plane of motion do lateral raises and side lunges primarily occur in?
- Sagittal plane
- Transverse plane
- Frontal (coronal) plane (Correct answer)
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Frontal (coronal) plane
The frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into front and back halves, and movements of abduction and adduction occur within it.
Question 6: What is the role of the rotator cuff muscles in shoulder mechanics during overhead movements?
- Primarily responsible for shoulder flexion and extension
- Stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid fossa and control joint mechanics (Correct answer)
- Generate maximum force for pressing movements
- Connect the scapula to the clavicle
Correct answer: Stabilize the humeral head in the glenoid fossa and control joint mechanics
The four rotator cuff muscles (SITS) dynamically stabilize the glenohumeral joint by centering the humeral head during shoulder movements.
ACE ACE Anatomy & Biomechanics 1
Which joint action occurs at the knee during the downward phase of a squat?