Movement Analysis: Types of Movements
Hello future PE expert! Welcome to Movement Analysis!
Understanding the "Types of Movements" is like learning the secret language of the human body. In sports, every jump, every throw, and every kick is a combination of these movements.
Why is this important? If you can accurately identify what movements are happening at a joint (like your elbow or knee), you can better understand technique, prevent injuries, and improve performance. Don't worry if the names sound complicated at first—we'll break them down with simple, real-life examples!
SECTION 1: The Starting Line – Anatomical Position
Before we can describe movement, we need a universal starting point. Imagine everyone standing in the exact same pose—this is the reference point for all movement descriptions.
Key Concept: The Anatomical Position
The Anatomical Position is the standard reference point. All movements are described as moving away from or towards this position.
- Standing upright.
- Feet parallel, shoulder-width apart.
- Head level.
- Crucially: Palms facing forward (anteriorly).
Think of it as the 'reset button' for the body. Every time we describe flexion, extension, or rotation, we assume the movement starts from this position.
Quick Review:
If you're unsure if a movement is happening, always refer back to the body in the Anatomical Position!
SECTION 2: Angular Movements – Changing Joint Angles
Angular movements are the simplest to understand. They involve changing the angle between two bones at a joint. They either make the joint angle smaller or bigger.
1. Flexion
Definition: Movement that decreases the angle between two bones. It usually involves bending a limb.
- Key Movement: Bending.
- Example: Bending your elbow to bring food to your mouth; lifting your knee when running.
- Analogy: Folding a hinge.
2. Extension
Definition: Movement that increases the angle between two bones, often returning the limb to the Anatomical Position. It usually involves straightening a limb.
- Key Movement: Straightening.
- Example: Straightening your knee after a kick; lowering your forearm back down after a biceps curl.
- If you straighten your elbow from a bent position, you are performing extension.
3. Hyperextension
Definition: Extension that goes beyond the Anatomical Position (i.e., beyond 180 degrees) or beyond the normal range of motion for that joint.
- Warning: Hyperextension often describes a position where injury might occur if forced (like hyperextending the knee), but it is a normal movement in some joints (like the shoulder or wrist).
- Example: Drawing your arm backward behind your body before throwing a ball; leaning your head backwards to look at the ceiling.
💡 Common Confusion Alert!
Don't confuse Extension (straightening to 180°) with Hyperextension (straightening past 180°).
SECTION 3: Movements Towards and Away from the Midline
These movements describe how a limb moves relative to the body's imaginary center line (the Midline).
1. Abduction
Definition: Moving a limb away from the midline of the body.
- Key Movement: Taking away.
- Example: Raising your arm out to the side (like a star jump); spreading your fingers wide apart.
2. Adduction
Definition: Moving a limb towards (or back to) the midline of the body.
- Key Movement: Bringing together.
- Mnemonic Aid: Adduction is like ADding the limb back to the body!
- Example: Bringing your arms back down after a star jump; snapping your legs together after stepping out.
3. Circumduction
Definition: A movement where the distal (far) end of a limb moves in a circle, tracing a cone shape. It is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
- Key Movement: Circular action.
- Example: Doing arm circles during a warm-up; winding up for a fast pitch (the shoulder joint performs circumduction).
Key Takeaway for Midline Movements:
Remember the A-B-Duction (taking away) and the A-D-Duction (adding back). These are fundamental movements, especially important in swimming and overhead sports.
SECTION 4: Rotational Movements
Rotation involves the turning of a bone around its own long axis. Imagine spinning on the spot!
1. Rotation (General)
Definition: The turning of a body part around its central axis.
- Example: Turning your head left and right (Rotation of the cervical vertebrae).
Subtypes of Rotation:
Rotation is often defined based on whether the movement is towards or away from the midline:
- Medial (Internal) Rotation: Turning a bone inward, towards the midline (e.g., rotating your hip inward).
- Lateral (External) Rotation: Turning a bone outward, away from the midline (e.g., rotating your shoulder outward when throwing).
2. Supination (Forearm Movement)
Definition: A rotational movement of the forearm that results in the palm facing upward or forward (like in the Anatomical Position).
- Mnemonic Aid: You hold a bowl of soup when your hand is supinated (palm up).
- Example: Turning your hand over to catch a ball.
3. Pronation (Forearm Movement)
Definition: A rotational movement of the forearm that results in the palm facing downward or backward.
- Example: Dribbling a basketball; turning a doorknob counter-clockwise.
Did You Know?
Pronation in the foot describes a flattening and rolling inward of the arch, which is a key concept when analyzing running gait and footwear!
SECTION 5: Special Movements of the Foot and Ankle
The foot and ankle have specific movements that don't fit neatly into the other categories. These are crucial for walking, running, and balancing.
1. Dorsiflexion
Definition: Lifting the foot so the toes point upward, towards the shin (decreasing the angle between the foot and leg).
- Example: Lifting your foot off the accelerator pedal in a car; the action of your foot just before your heel strikes the ground when walking.
2. Plantarflexion
Definition: Pointing the foot downward (like standing on your toes or pressing the gas pedal).
- Example: Pointing your toes in dance; jumping off the ground (pushing down).
3. Inversion
Definition: Turning the sole of the foot inward, towards the midline.
- Risk Connection: Inversion sprains (rolling the ankle inward) are the most common ankle injury in sports.
4. Eversion
Definition: Turning the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline.
Final Summary and Study Tips
How to Master These Movements:
- Act it out: Stand up and physically perform each movement (flexion of the knee, abduction of the arm). Say the name of the movement out loud as you do it.
- Use the Analogies: If you forget the definition, recall the simple analogy (e.g., Adduction = Adding back; Supination = Holding Soup).
- Identify in Sports: When watching a game, try to label the movements. When a basketball player shoots, is it flexion or extension of the elbow? (It starts with flexion, ends with extension!)
🌟 Key Takeaways 🌟
Bending/Straightening: Flexion (decrease angle), Extension (increase angle).
Midline Movement: Abduction (away), Adduction (towards).
Hand/Foot Turning: Pronation/Supination (forearm), Inversion/Eversion (foot sole).
You’ve covered the fundamentals of movement analysis! Great job! Keep practicing these concepts, and you’ll soon be analyzing human movement like a professional coach.