Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Kinesiology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which muscle of the quadriceps group is the only one that also crosses the hip joint, making it biarticular?
- Vastus medialis
- Vastus lateralis
- Rectus femoris (Correct answer)
- Vastus intermedius
Correct answer: Rectus femoris
The rectus femoris originates on the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS), crossing both the hip and knee joints. The three vastus muscles originate on the femur itself and only cross the knee, making them uniarticular.
Question 2: Movements such as flexion and extension occur in which plane of the body?
- Frontal plane
- Transverse plane
- Sagittal plane (Correct answer)
- Oblique plane
Correct answer: Sagittal plane
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves. Movements that occur within this plane — primarily flexion and extension — rotate around a mediolateral (side-to-side) axis.
Question 3: Which rotator cuff muscle is primarily responsible for initiating the first 15–30 degrees of shoulder abduction?
- Subscapularis
- Teres minor
- Infraspinatus
- Supraspinatus (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Supraspinatus
The supraspinatus, running through the supraspinous fossa and under the acromion, initiates abduction of the arm. The deltoid takes over as the primary abductor after the first 15–30 degrees.
Question 4: A muscle contraction in which the muscle generates force without any change in its length is called:
- Concentric contraction
- Eccentric contraction
- Isotonic contraction
- Isometric contraction (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Isometric contraction
In an isometric contraction, tension is developed but the muscle neither shortens nor lengthens — the joint angle remains constant. This occurs when holding a static position against resistance.
Question 5: What combined actions does the biceps brachii perform at the forearm?
- Extension and pronation
- Flexion and supination (Correct answer)
- Flexion and pronation
- Extension and supination
Correct answer: Flexion and supination
The biceps brachii flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm (rotating the palm upward). Supination is actually its most powerful action; the brachialis is a stronger pure elbow flexor.
Question 6: Which property of muscle tissue describes its ability to return to its resting length after being passively stretched?
- Contractility
- Excitability
- Extensibility
- Elasticity (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Elasticity
Elasticity is the property that allows muscle (and connective tissue) to recoil back to its original length after a stretching force is removed, similar to a rubber band. Extensibility refers to the ability to be stretched in the first place.
