AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What term refers to movement around an axis or pivot point?

1. Flexion

2. Extension

3. Rotation

4. Circumduction

The correct answer is: Rotation

The term "rotation" specifically refers to movement around an axis or pivot point. In anatomy and kinesiology, rotation is the process by which a body part moves in a circular motion around a specific central point. This type of movement is evident in various joints of the body, such as the shoulder and hip joints. Unlike the other terms listed, rotation does not involve bending (flexion) or straightening (extension) of body parts, which are movements that occur in a linear fashion. Additionally, circumduction, while also involving a circular motion, is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, resulting in a conical movement rather than a pure rotation around a single pivot point. Thus, rotation is the most appropriate term for describing this specific type of movement.