AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

When is pain usually felt with a partial muscle tear?

1. Only during resting

2. When the muscle is contracted against resistance

3. With gentle stretching

4. Only during physical activity

The correct answer is: When the muscle is contracted against resistance

Pain associated with a partial muscle tear is typically experienced when the muscle is contracted against resistance. This is because the muscle fibers are injured, and when they are put under tension or stress—such as during contraction—this can lead to increased pain. The damaged muscle fibers may fail to contract fully, resulting in discomfort during activities that require strength or resistance. While pain can occasionally be felt during gentle stretching or physical activity, these options do not directly address the mechanical stress that further engages the injured fibers. Resting generally doesn’t exacerbate pain since there is no active muscle contraction involved, and pain might not be present during all phases of physical activity depending on the severity of the injury. Thus, the most accurate scenario for experiencing pain from a partial muscle tear is during contraction against resistance.