Joint Mechanics, Muscle Contractions, and Motor Learning

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering joint mechanics, muscle contractions, motor learning principles, Newton's laws of motion, and basic anatomy.

Hinge Joint

A joint that moves in one plane, allowing for flexion and extension, like the elbow or knee.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A joint where a rounded bone fits into a cup-like socket, allowing movement in all directions, such as in the shoulder or hip.

Pivot Joint

A joint where one bone rotates around another, like the top of the neck (atlas and axis).

Gliding Joint

A joint where flat surfaces slide past each other, as in the carpals of the wrist.

Saddle Joint

A joint where both bones have concave and convex areas, allowing grasping, as seen in the thumb.

Concentric Contraction

A type of muscle contraction where the muscle shortens while producing force, such as during a bicep curl.

Eccentric Contraction

A type of muscle contraction where the muscle lengthens while resisting force, exemplified by lowering a dumbbell.

Isometric Contraction

A type of muscle contraction where the muscle contracts but does not change length, such as holding a plank.

Cognitive Stage of Motor Learning

The initial stage of learning where the learner makes many mistakes and needs clear feedback.

Associative Stage of Motor Learning

The intermediate stage of learning where the learner refines the movement and makes fewer errors.

Autonomous Stage of Motor Learning

The final stage of learning where the skill becomes automatic and consistent.

Newton's 1st Law of Motion

States that a body at rest stays at rest unless acted on by a force, exemplified by a stationary soccer ball.

Newton's 2nd Law of Motion

States that force equals mass times acceleration; a heavier object requires more force to accelerate.

Newton's 3rd Law of Motion

States that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, exemplified by jumping.

Linear Motion

Movement in a straight line, such as sprinting on a track.

Angular Motion

Movement around an axis, like swinging a golf club.

Torque

A measure of rotational force, calculated as force multiplied by the moment arm.

Moment Arm

The distance from the joint axis to where force is applied; a longer moment arm results in greater torque.

Force Production

The act of muscles creating force to move, such as jumping.

Force Absorption

The act of muscles resisting movement, like safely landing from a jump.

Sagittal Plane

The anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right, allowing movements of flexion and extension.

Frontal Plane

The anatomical plane that divides the body into front and back, allowing movements of abduction and adduction.

Transverse Plane

The anatomical plane that divides the body into top and bottom, allowing rotational movements.