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

Which receptors provide a sense of body position and movement?

1. Joint receptors

2. Mechanoreceptors

3. Proprioceptors

4. Thermoreceptors

The correct answer is: Proprioceptors

Proprioceptors play a crucial role in providing the body with a sense of its position and movement. These specialized sensory receptors are located within the muscles, tendons, and joints and are responsible for detecting changes in muscle length, tension, and joint angle. This continuous feedback allows the central nervous system to maintain balance, coordination, and motor control, enabling individuals to perform movements effectively and respond to their surroundings. While joint receptors and mechanoreceptors are related to the sensation of position and movement, they do not encompass the entire functional scope of proprioception. Joint receptors primarily respond to mechanical changes in the joints themselves, and mechanoreceptors respond to a variety of physical stimuli such as touch and pressure but are not specific to the sense of body positioning. Thermoreceptors are entirely different, as they detect changes in temperature rather than movement or positioning. Thus, proprioceptors are the most accurate answer in this context.