International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Strength and Conditioning Certification Practice Test

The primary movements of the knee are flexion and extension. Flexion refers to the action of bending the knee, which decreases the angle between the thigh and the lower leg, bringing the heel toward the buttocks. Extension involves straightening the knee, increasing the angle between the thigh and lower leg, and returning the leg to a straight position. These two movements are fundamental in activities such as walking, running, sitting, and standing, making them essential for functional movement in day-to-day activities and athletic performance.

Other movements like abduction and adduction generally pertain more to the hip joint rather than the knee. Rotation and gliding are minimal at the knee and are not considered primary movements. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion are terms used to describe movements at the ankle joint, not the knee. Understanding the knee's primary functions is crucial for effective strength and conditioning programming, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.