NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which movement would describe bringing a limb closer to the body's center from the side position?

1. Abduction

2. Flexion

3. Adduction

4. Extension

The correct answer is: Adduction

The movement of bringing a limb closer to the body's center from the side position is known as adduction. This term specifically describes the action of moving a body part toward the midline of the body. To contextualize, when a limb is moved away from the body, this action is called abduction. Conversely, adduction describes the return movement, pulling the limb back toward the center. For example, when your arms are raised to the side and then brought down to your sides, the downward movement is adduction. Flexion refers to decreasing the angle between two body parts, such as bending the elbow or knee. Extension is the opposite, increasing the angle between body parts, like straightening a bent elbow or knee. Therefore, in the scenario described, adduction is the accurate term for the movement being referenced.