ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What does Wolff's Law state about bones?

1. They decrease in strength when stressed

2. They can increase strength in response to stress

3. They remain unchanged regardless of stress

4. They weaken over time

The correct answer is: They can increase strength in response to stress

Wolff's Law states that bones adapt to the loads under which they are placed. When bones are subjected to increased stress or load, they respond by becoming stronger and denser. This adaptive response is due to the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, which are stimulated to create new bone material in response to mechanical stress. This principle is key in understanding how physical activity, weight-bearing exercises, and resistance training can enhance bone health, especially in populations at risk for osteoporosis or related bone density issues. The other options do not align with Wolff's Law as they imply that bones decrease in strength, remain unchanged, or weaken over time regardless of stress, which contradicts the positive adaptive response described by Wolff's Law.