International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Trainer Practice Exam

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Which muscle stabilizes the knee on the anterior side?

Hamstrings
Gastrocnemius
Quadriceps
Adductors

The correct answer is: Quadriceps

The quadriceps muscle group plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee on its anterior side. This group comprises four muscles: the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. When contracted, the quadriceps extend the knee and help maintain stable alignment during activities such as walking, running, and jumping. Their strength and coordination are vital for proper knee function, particularly for preventing injuries and ensuring optimal biomechanics during movement. In contrast, while the hamstrings are essential for knee flexion and play a role in stabilizing the knee, they do so from the posterior side. The gastrocnemius, although it crosses the knee joint and can assist in flexing the knee, primarily functions as a calf muscle aiding in plantar flexion. The adductors, located in the inner thigh, assist with leg adduction and stabilization but do not significantly contribute to anterior knee stability. Therefore, the quadriceps are the primary muscle responsible for stabilizing the anterior aspect of the knee joint.