Which of the following refers to the neuromuscular phenomenon that occurs when secondary muscles take...

“Synergistic dominance” is the NASM term for a neuromuscular compensation pattern in which helper muscles (synergists) begin to perform the work that should primarily be done by the prime mover (agonist). This happens when the prime mover is weak, inhibited, or placed at a poor length‑tension relationship. The NASM CPT7 Study Guide explains that“Synergists… assist agonists to produce a movement”and lists common examples (e.g., brachioradialis and brachialis assisting the biceps curl) — but when compensations occur, these assistants can end up taking over the job (). Related mechanisms in the guide that set the stage for synergistic dominance include“Altered length‑tension relationship… reducing the amount of force [a muscle] can produce”() and“Altered reciprocal inhibition… when an overactive agonist muscle decreases the neural drive to its functional antagonist”(). The guide also frames the broader issue as“Muscle imbalance… when muscles on each side of a joint have altered length‑tension relationships”(). In practice, this might look like the hamstrings or erector spinae doing too much hip‑extension work that the gluteus maximus (the agonist) should drive. Whilearthrokinetic dysfunctionrelates to joint surface motion,reciprocal inhibitionis the normal neural relaxation of antagonists during agonist contraction, andautogenic inhibitionis GTO‑mediated tension reduction — none of which by themselves name the compensatory takeover pattern. Thus, the best description of secondary muscles taking over for a weak prime mover issynergistic dominance.