National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

What movement involves the action of decreasing the angle between two body parts?

1. Abduction

2. Flexion

3. Internal Rotation

4. Extension

The correct answer is: Flexion

The movement that involves the action of decreasing the angle between two body parts is flexion. When flexion occurs, such as during the bending of the elbow or knee, the two body parts involved come closer together, effectively reducing the angle between them. For example, when you flex your bicep, the forearm moves toward the shoulder, decreasing the angle at the elbow joint. In contrast, abduction refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body, so it does not involve decreasing the angle. Internal rotation is the inward movement of a limb toward the midline, and extension involves increasing the angle between body parts, such as lifting your arm straight out to the side or straightening your leg at the knee. Therefore, flexion is specifically the term that accurately describes the action of decreasing the angle between two body parts, making it the correct choice.