ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which described movement can occur both at the ankle and wrist joints?

1. Pronation

2. Dorsiflexion

3. Flexion

4. Elevation

The correct answer is: Dorsiflexion

The movement that can occur at both the ankle and wrist joints is dorsiflexion. Dorsiflexion specifically refers to the motion where the toes are brought closer to the shin at the ankle and also involves the movement of the hand toward the back of the forearm at the wrist. At the ankle, dorsiflexion is observed when the foot lifts upwards, decreasing the angle between the dorsum (top) of the foot and the shin. This motion is important for activities like walking, running, or climbing because it prepares the foot for the next step. In the case of the wrist, while dorsiflexion is not a commonly used term, the action correlates with the movement of the wrist lifting towards the arm, similar to wrist extension. Both movements can involve lifting a part of the limb towards the body, showcasing how they share this functional similarity. Therefore, the reason dorsiflexion is the correct answer lies in its capacity to occur at both joints, demonstrating its role in various movements and activities.