ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

What is the primary role of the glenohumeral joint?

1. To provide stability to the shoulder

2. To allow for mobility between the shoulder and arm

3. To anchor the shoulder girdle

4. To limit movement for injury prevention

The correct answer is: To allow for mobility between the shoulder and arm

The primary role of the glenohumeral joint is to allow for mobility between the shoulder and arm. This joint, which is the main connection between the upper limb and the trunk, is considered one of the most mobile joints in the human body. Its structure, characterized as a ball-and-socket joint, enables a wide range of motions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. This high degree of mobility is essential for many everyday activities, such as throwing, lifting, and reaching. While stability is also an important aspect of the glenohumeral joint, particularly given its susceptibility to injury, it is the joint's capacity to facilitate movement that primarily defines its role. The other options address aspects related to the joint's function—stability, anchoring, and injury prevention—but these are secondary to the fundamental capability of allowing movement. Therefore, the emphasis on mobility aligns closely with the primary functional purpose of the glenohumeral joint in biomechanics.