NASM Group Personal Training Specialist (GPTS) Practice Exam

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During a lunge, which movement describes the eccentric phase?

The upward press from the starting position

The stabilization at the bottom position

The push-off from the front foot

The lowering of the body to a 90-degree knee bend

Eccentric action is when a muscle lengthens under tension as you control lowering. In a lunge, the descent—the body lowering until the front knee reaches about a 90-degree angle—creates this eccentric work. The front leg’s quadriceps lengthen to brake the downward movement, with the glutes and supporting muscles stabilizing the hip and knee. This contrasts with the ascent, where those muscles shorten to raise the body (concentric action). The other described movements involve lifting, pausing, or pushing off, which are concentric or static rather than eccentric.