ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which type of movements occur in the frontal plane?

1. Flexion/extension

2. Abduction/adduction

3. Pronation/supination

4. Elevation/depression

The correct answer is: Abduction/adduction

The movements that occur in the frontal plane primarily involve abduction and adduction. The frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, allowing for movements that bring limbs away from and toward the midline of the body. Abduction refers to moving a limb away from the body's midline, such as when raising the arms or legs to the side. Conversely, adduction is the movement that brings the limbs back toward the midline, such as bringing the arms back down or crossing the legs together. These movements are essential for many physical activities and help maintain balance and coordination. Other options involve different planes of movement. Flexion and extension primarily occur in the sagittal plane, where movements like bending and straightening happen. Pronation and supination are actions primarily occurring in the transverse plane, involving rotation, particularly in the forearm and ankle. Elevation and depression also describe movements in the frontal plane to some extent, but they typically relate to the movement of body parts in a vertical direction, such as shrugging the shoulders or lowering the shoulders, often focusing on scapular movement. Therefore, knowing that abduction and adduction are the key movements in the frontal plane clarifies why this is the correct answer