ISSA PT Chapter 5

What is the Anatomical Position?

Facing forward with arms at the sides, palms and toes pointing straight ahead.

Anterior (Ventral) vs. Posterior (Dorsal)

Front of the body vs. Back of the body

Superior vs. Inferior

Above a reference point vs. Below a reference point.

Proximal vs. Distal

Position closer to the body center vs. Position farther away from a reference point.

Medial vs. Lateral

Position closer to the midline vs. Position farther from the midline.

Prone vs. Supine

Lying face down vs. Lying on one's back

Ipsilateral vs. Contralateral

On the same side of the body vs. On the opposite side of the body.

Sagittal Plane — Division & Movements

Divides body into left and right halves.

• Movements: Flexion, extension, dorsiflexion, plantarflexion.

• Examples: Squats, bicep curls, walking/running.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane — Division & Movements

Divides body into anterior and posterior (front/back) halves.

• Movements: Abduction, adduction, lateral flexion, eversion, inversion.

• Examples: Jumping jacks, side lunges.

Transverse Plane — Division & Movements

• Divides body into superior and inferior (top/bottom) halves.

  • Movements: Rotation, horizontal abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation.

  • Examples: Golf swing, throwing a ball, torso rotation.

Kinesthesis vs. Proprioception

• Kinesthesis: Sense of body position and movement in space via joint/muscle/tendon receptors.

• Proprioception: Specific awareness of joint position.

Static Balance vs. Dynamic Balance

• Static Balance: Ability to stay balanced when at rest.

• Dynamic Balance: Ability to remain upright while in motion over a moving base of support.

Base of Support & Line of Gravity

To remain stable, the vertical line of gravity drawn straight down from the Center of Gravity (COG) must fall within the Base of Support (area beneath points of contact with the ground).

Joint Mobility vs. Joint Stability

• Mobility: Unhindered range of motion around a joint.

• Stability: Ability of surrounding muscles to control movement or hold a joint fixed.

Which joints typically require greater MOBILITY?

Foot/ankle, hip, thoracic spine, shoulder, wrist.

Which joints typically require greater STABILITY?

Knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine, elbow.

Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia)

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.

Newton’s Second Law (Acceleration & Force)

Force equals mass times acceleration ($F = m \times a$). Acceleration depends directly on the force applied and inversely on mass.

Force-Velocity Curve

Inverse relationship between force and concentric muscle contraction speed (as weight/force demand increases, contraction velocity decreases).

Newton’s Third Law (Action & Reaction)

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (e.g., ground reaction force when pushing off the floor).

Sustained Force Movement

Continuous muscle contractions required to keep a weight moving.

Dynamic Balance Movement

Constant agonist-antagonist muscle contractions to maintain a position or posture.

Ballistic Movement

Explosive maximum-force contraction followed by inertial movement.

Guided Movement

Simultaneous contraction of both agonist and antagonist muscles to control precision.