ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following movements occurs in the ankle joint when the toes point away from the knee?

1. Dorsiflexion

2. Plantar flexion

3. Hyperextension

4. Inversion

The correct answer is: Plantar flexion

The movement that occurs in the ankle joint when the toes point away from the knee is known as plantar flexion. This action involves the foot moving downward, which effectively increases the angle between the top of the foot and the front of the leg. During plantar flexion, activities such as standing on tiptoes or pushing the gas pedal in a car are demonstrated. Dorsiflexion, on the other hand, is the opposite movement, where the toes are brought closer to the knee, decreasing the angle and moving the foot upward. Hyperextension refers to excessive extension beyond normal limits, which is not a typical term used for ankle movement in this context. Inversion involves rolling the sole of the foot inward, which is unrelated to the movement of pointing the toes away from the knee. Thus, plantar flexion is the correct term to describe the action of pointing the toes away from the knee.