Kinesiology Study Guide Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the kinesiology study guide.

Flexion

Bending a joint to decrease the angle between two body parts.

Extension

Straightening a joint to increase the angle between two body parts.

Abduction

Moving a limb away from the body's midline.

Adduction

Moving a limb toward the body's midline.

Internal Rotation

Rotating a limb toward the midline with the elbow bent at 90° and close to the body.

External Rotation

Rotating a limb away from the midline with the elbow bent at 90° and close to the body.

Pronation

Turning the palm downward while the elbow is flexed at 90°.

Supination

Turning the palm upward while the elbow is flexed at 90°.

Flexed

Joint position in which the angle is reduced, such as an elbow bent to 90°.

Extended

Joint position in which the angle is increased, such as an elbow fully straightened.

Supinated (position)

Palm faces upward.

Pronated (position)

Palm faces downward.

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical plane dividing the body into left and right halves.

Frontal Plane

Plane dividing the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves.

Transverse Plane

Plane dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) halves.

Ipsilateral

Situated on or affecting the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Situated on or affecting the opposite side of the body.

Center of Gravity

Point where mass is evenly distributed and the three anatomical planes intersect.

Anatomical Position

Standard stance—standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Fundamental Position

Similar to anatomical position but with the palms facing the body.

Local Reference System

Planes and axes defined relative to a specific joint or segment.

Global Reference System

Fixed planes and axes that remain constant regardless of body position.

Kinematics

Descriptive study of motion, including position, velocity, and acceleration.

Kinetics

Study of the forces that cause or resist motion.

Linear Movement

Motion in a straight line in a single direction.

Angular Movement

Motion that changes the angle between two bones.

Rotary Movement

Motion along a circular path around a central point.

Stance Phase

Beginning balance phase of a skill with minimal movement.

Preparatory Phase

Wind-up or countermovement used to build potential force.

Movement Phase

Main action phase involving powerful contraction and acceleration.

Follow-Through Phase

Deceleration and control stage after the main movement.

Recovery Phase

Transition stage that repositions the body for the next movement.

Concentric Action

Muscle shortens while generating force.

Eccentric Action

Muscle lengthens while resisting an external force.

Isometric Action

Muscle generates force without a change in length.

Isokinetic Action

Muscle generates force at a constant speed through the full range of motion.

Agonist

Primary muscle responsible for producing a movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes or controls the action of the agonist.

Synergist

Muscle that assists the agonist in performing a movement.

Stabilizer

Muscle that holds a body part steady so other muscles can act.

Neutralizer

Muscle that counteracts an unwanted action of another muscle.

Line of Pull

Imaginary line connecting a muscle’s origin and insertion, indicating pull direction.

Point of Application

Specific location where a force is applied to the body.

Line of Force

Direction along which a force acts.

Direction (of force)

Orientation toward which a force is pulling or pushing.

Angle of Pull

Angle between the muscle’s line of pull and the bone it moves.

Resistance

External force that creates torque opposing the desired movement.

Anterior Line of Gravity

Gravity line anterior to a joint, producing an extension torque.

Posterior Line of Gravity

Gravity line posterior to a joint, producing a flexion torque.

Perpendicular Axis

Axis oriented at 90° to the lever, providing mobility and torque.

Parallel Axis

Axis aligned with the lever, providing stability.

Passive Tension

Tension developed when a muscle is stretched without activation.

Active Tension

Tension generated by an actively contracting muscle.

Total Tension

Sum of passive and active tension in a muscle.

Length-Tension Curve

Graph showing how muscle force varies with its length.

100% Rest Length

Baseline length of a relaxed muscle before stretch or contraction.

120% Length

Optimal slight stretch (about 20% beyond rest) that yields maximal force.

Maximally Shortened Length

Position where a muscle is overly contracted, limiting force production.

Maximally Lengthened Tension

Position where a muscle is overly stretched, reducing force as cross-bridges are far apart.

Active Insufficiency

Inability of a two-joint muscle to contract fully across both joints simultaneously.

Passive Insufficiency

Inability of a two-joint muscle to stretch fully across both joints simultaneously.

Force-Velocity Curve

Relationship where concentric force decreases as speed increases, while eccentric force rises with speed.

Pre-Stretch

Rapid muscle lengthening just before contraction to enhance force.

Wind-Up Force

Force gained through range of motion and velocity via the stretch reflex.

Tonic Stretch

Slow, controlled pre-stretch emphasizing stability and control.

Phasic Stretch

Quick pre-stretch emphasizing explosive power.

Coordination

Smooth integration of movement patterns with necessary joint stability.

Parallel Fiber Arrangement

Muscle fibers run parallel to the bone, favoring speed and range.

Pennate Fiber Arrangement

Muscle fibers insert obliquely into a tendon, allowing more fibers for greater force.

Bipennate Fiber Arrangement

Two sets of oblique fibers converging on a central tendon, producing high force output.

Long Bone

Bone longer than it is wide, consisting of a shaft (diaphysis) and two ends (epiphyses).

Short Bone

Cube-shaped bone that allows precise, multi-directional movement.