ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When a client is performing dynamic stretching, they are actively engaging in movements that stretch the muscles while they are still contracting. This type of stretching involves using the muscle that is being stretched and also the opposing muscle group.

Reciprocal inhibition occurs when the contraction of one muscle group leads to the relaxation of its opposing muscle group. In dynamic stretching, as the client moves and stretches a muscle, the muscle that is opposing the stretch (the antagonist) will relax to allow for greater flexibility and range of motion. This mechanism is essential during dynamic stretches because it helps prevent injury and allows for smoother movement.

The process works effectively because when the nervous system sends signals to the agonist (the muscle that is being contracted), it simultaneously sends inhibitory signals to the antagonist, resulting in a more efficient stretch. This is particularly important in activities that require a good degree of flexibility and speed, as seen in many athletic and fitness contexts.