International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Trainer Practice Exam

Which of the following correctly identifies the relationship between skeletal muscle and movement?

1. Skeletal muscle causes movement through contraction

2. Skeletal muscle stabilizes bones without causing movement

3. Skeletal muscle only promotes aerobic activities

4. Skeletal muscle and ligaments work independently

The correct answer is: Skeletal muscle causes movement through contraction

The relationship between skeletal muscle and movement is fundamentally based on the principle that skeletal muscle causes movement through contraction. When skeletal muscles contract, they exert force on the bones they are attached to, resulting in the movement of body parts. This is a critical aspect of the musculoskeletal system, where muscles work in conjunction with the skeletal structure to produce motion. Skeletal muscles are under voluntary control, allowing individuals to perform a wide range of movements, from simple actions like lifting an arm to more complicated athletic feats like sprinting or jumping. The contraction of these muscles can pull on the tendons, which are connected to bones, thereby facilitating movement around joints. Other options describe aspects that do not fully encompass the primary role of skeletal muscles in movement. For example, while stabilizing bones is an important function, the primary relationship and the defining action of skeletal muscles is their ability to contract and thus enable movement. Additionally, skeletal muscle is not limited to aerobic activities or working independently of ligaments; they play interconnected roles in supporting and facilitating movement in conjunction with various other components of the musculoskeletal system.