CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist Practice Test

What occurs during reciprocal inhibition?

1. Contraction of antagonistic muscles

2. Relaxation of all muscles

3. Simultaneous muscle contraction and relaxation for movement

4. Permanent muscle relaxation

The correct answer is: Simultaneous muscle contraction and relaxation for movement

During reciprocal inhibition, there is a simultaneous contraction and relaxation of muscles for movement. This process allows for the coordinated movement of muscles, as the muscles that are not needed for a specific movement are inhibited or relaxed while others are contracted. Option A is incorrect because reciprocal inhibition occurs between agonist and antagonist muscles, so both will not contract at the same time. Option B is incorrect because all muscles do not relax simultaneously during reciprocal inhibition, only the ones not needed for the movement. Option D is incorrect because reciprocal inhibition is not a permanent state, it occurs during movement.