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

Which term describes the state of having disrupted neuromuscular recruitment patterns that result in reduced muscle activity during a joint action?

1. Overactive

2. Inactive

3. Underactive

4. Dynamic

The correct answer is: Underactive

The term that accurately describes the state of having disrupted neuromuscular recruitment patterns which leads to reduced muscle activity during a joint action is indeed "underactive." This concept relates to the functioning of specific muscles within a kinetic chain. When a muscle is deemed underactive, it means that it is not sufficiently engaging or activating as it should during movement. This can result from poor neuromuscular control, muscle imbalances, or previous injuries, leading to compensations by other muscles that may not be well suited for the joint action. Such disrupted patterns can impede performance and might increase the risk of injury, as the body is forced to rely on alternative muscles that are not primarily intended to take on that specific load or motion. Other terms like "overactive" refer to muscles that are overly tight or dominant in a specific movement, and "inactive" generally suggests a lack of engagement which lacks the nuance of disrupted coordination seen in "underactive" muscles. "Dynamic" pertains to movement or action, but does not capture the essence of the altered neuromuscular recruitment regarding muscle activity. Thus, "underactive" is the most appropriate term in this context.