Biomechanics and Kinesiology Vocabulary CH#1

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terminology, planes and axes, movements, mechanics, motor control/learning concepts, and kinesiology disciplines from Chapter 1.

Kinematics

The study of motion without looking at the forces causing it.

Kinetics

The study of the forces that cause or change motion.

System

Any structure or organization of related structures whose state of motion is of analytical interest.

Anthropometry

The discipline that studies measurements of the body.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measurement used to estimate whether a person's weight is appropriate for their height, limited by its inability to differentiate between muscle and fat.

Ponderal Index

A formula/ratio for describing body shape calculated as $\text{Height} \div \sqrt[3]{\text{Weight}}$.

Somatotype

A system of body-type description that classifies people.

Crural Index

An equation that compares the length of the lower leg to the thigh to describe body proportions.

Superior

Anatomical term meaning toward the head.

Inferior

Anatomical term meaning toward the feet.

Anterior

Anatomical term meaning toward the front.

Posterior

Anatomical term meaning toward the back.

Medial

Anatomical term meaning toward the middle of the body.

Lateral

Anatomical term meaning away from the middle of the body.

Proximal

Anatomical term meaning closer to the body or trunk.

Distal

Anatomical term meaning farther from the body or trunk.

Superficial

Anatomical term meaning closer to the surface.

Deep

Anatomical term meaning farther inside the body.

Midsagittal plane (median plane)

The plane that passes directly through the midline of the body.

Sagittal plane

A cardinal plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal plane

A cardinal plane that divides the body into front and back portions.

Transverse plane

A cardinal plane that divides the body into top and bottom portions.

Mediolateral axis

An imaginary line running from side to side.

Anteroposterior axis

An imaginary line running from front to back.

Superoinferior axis

An imaginary line running from head to feet.

Center of mass

The point where the body's mass is balanced.

Center of gravity

The point where the body's weight is balanced.

Line of gravity

An imaginary vertical line directed downward from the center of gravity.

Flexion

A movement in the sagittal plane that decreases the angle of a joint.

Extension

A movement in the sagittal plane that increases the angle of a joint.

Lateral Flexion

Bending the body sideways in the frontal plane, such as bending the neck toward the shoulder.

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the midline in the frontal plane.

Adduction

Moving a body part toward the midline in the frontal plane.

Elevation

Moving a body part upward, such as shrugging the shoulders.

Depression

Moving a body part downward.

Upward Rotation

Movement where a body part (such as the shoulder blade) rotates upward.

Downward Rotation

Movement where a body part rotates downward.

Eversion

Turning the bottom of the foot outward.

Inversion

Turning the bottom of the foot inward.

Radial Deviation

Moving the wrist toward the thumb.

Ulnar Deviation

Moving the wrist toward the pinky finger.

Internal Rotation

Rotating a body part toward the center of the body in the transverse plane.

External Rotation

Rotating a body part away from the center of the body in the transverse plane.

Protraction

Moving a body part forward in the transverse plane.

Retraction

Moving a body part backward in the transverse plane.

Pronation

Turning the palm downward.

Supination

Turning the palm upward, like holding a bowl of soup.

Circumduction

Moving a body part in a circle through multiple planes.

Closed skill

A skill that occurs in a predictable environment, such as shooting a free throw in basketball.

Open skill

A skill that occurs in an environment that changes, such as tackling an opponent in football.

Motion

A change in an object's position over time.

Force

A push or pull that can change motion.

Relative Motion

Motion described by comparing one object to another.

Translation

Movement where all parts of an object move the same distance and direction.

Rectilinear Translation

Linear movement along a straight path.

Curvilinear Translation

Linear movement along a curved path.

Rotation

Movement around an axis.

Angular displacement ($\theta$)

The amount an object rotates from its starting position.

Discrete Skill

A skill with a clear beginning and ending, such as kicking a soccer ball.

Continuous Skill

A skill that does not have a clear beginning or ending and can continue, such as swimming.

Repeated Discrete Skill

A discrete skill that is repeated over and over, such as repeatedly bouncing a basketball.

Serial Skill

A series of different skills performed in a specific order, such as a gymnastics routine.

Gross Movement

Movement using large muscles and large body parts, such as running.

Fine Movement

Movement using small muscles and precise actions, such as writing with a pencil.

Kinetic chain

A group of body parts and joints that work together to create movement.

Open Kinetic Chain

A kinetic chain movement that occurs when the end of the limb is free to move, such as using a leg extension machine.

Closed Kinetic Chain

A kinetic chain movement that occurs when the end of the limb is fixed or touching a surface, such as a squat.

Motor

Refers to movement or the muscles and body parts involved in movement.

Motor control

The ability to control and coordinate body movements.

Motor learning

Learning and improving a movement through practice over time.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors that inform the brain about where the body and its parts are positioned.

Open-loop movement

A movement that happens without using feedback while it is occurring, such as throwing a ball once released.

Closed-loop movement

A movement that uses real-time feedback from sensory systems to adjust the movement while it is happening, such as walking.

Feedback

Information detailing what was done right or wrong, which helps improve movement in motor learning.

Ergonomics

The study of how the body moves and uses force while doing work, focusing on human-machine interactions and factors influencing them.

Occupational biomechanics

The discipline concerned with human-machine interaction and physical mechanics during work tasks.

Physical therapy

A field dedicated to preventing, evaluating, and treating movement abnormalities to help people recover from injuries or movement problems.

Occupational therapists (OTs)

Professionals who focus on helping people improve skills needed for activities of daily living and self-care tasks after an injury.

Athletic trainers

Professionals focused on preventing, immediately treating, and rehabilitating sports-related injuries.

Sports medicine

The medical field focused on preventing, treating, and recovering from sports-related injuries.

Pedagogy

The study and practice of teaching, vital in kinesiology for effectively instructing movement and physical activity.

Adapted physical education (APE)

The process and field of teaching movement activities to children with disabilities.