Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination FREE MBLEx Test Kinesiology and Biomechanics Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle generates force while lengthening under load?
- Eccentric contraction (Correct answer)
- Concentric contraction
- Isometric contraction
- Isokinetic contraction
Correct answer: Eccentric contraction
An eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle lengthens while producing force, such as lowering a weight slowly.
Question 2: What is the primary role of the rotator cuff muscles during shoulder abduction?
- Stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid fossa (Correct answer)
- Producing the full range of abduction
- Elevating the scapula
- Retracting the shoulder blade
Correct answer: Stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid fossa
The rotator cuff muscles act as dynamic stabilizers, keeping the humeral head centered in the glenoid fossa during movement.
Question 3: Which plane of motion describes a movement that divides the body into front and back halves?
- Frontal plane (Correct answer)
- Sagittal plane
- Transverse plane
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Frontal plane
The frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions and includes movements like abduction and adduction.
Question 4: During normal gait, which phase occurs when both feet are in contact with the ground simultaneously?
- Double support phase (Correct answer)
- Swing phase
- Single limb stance
- Terminal swing
Correct answer: Double support phase
The double support phase occurs briefly during walking when weight is transferred from one foot to the other with both feet on the ground.
Question 5: What type of lever system is represented by the calf muscles performing a heel raise?
- Second-class lever (Correct answer)
- First-class lever
- Third-class lever
- Zero-class lever
Correct answer: Second-class lever
A heel raise uses a second-class lever where the resistance (body weight) is between the fulcrum (toes) and the effort (calf muscles at the heel).
Question 6: Which biomechanical principle explains why wider stances provide greater stability during massage techniques?
- Larger base of support lowers the center of gravity relative to the base (Correct answer)
- Increased friction between feet and floor
- Greater muscular tension in the legs
- Reduced need for core activation
Correct answer: Larger base of support lowers the center of gravity relative to the base
A wider stance increases the base of support, making it easier to keep the center of gravity within that base for better stability.
Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle generates force while lengthening under load?