Health and Sports Science Vocab

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue that acts a a shock absorber and prevents friction

Tendons

Thick strands of connective tissue that connects muscles to bone which allows the bones to move

Ligaments

A flexible band that attaches bone to another bone which keeps bones stable and prevents dislocations

Fibrous Joints

Two bones joined together by fibrous connective tissue; allows little to no movement

Cartilaginous Joints

Unites two bones together using cartilage; limited movement

Synovial Joints

Freely moving joints; have a synovial capsule around joint

Hinge

Bend and straighten in one direction (elbow,knee)

Pivot

Rotation of one bone on another (neck)

Ball and socket

Movement in all directions (shoulder,hip)

Saddle

Side-to-side and up-and-down movement (thumb, neck)

Condyloid

Allows movement in two directions (radius and carpals in wrist)

Gliding

Bones glide against each other (carpal bones)

Eversion

When the ankle rolls inward

Abduction

Movement away from the body’s center/midline

Adduction

Movement towards the body’s center/midline

Dorsi Flexion

Refers to the flexion of the ankle, so that the foot points more superiorly

Plantar Flexion

Refers to the extension at the ankle, so that the foot prints more inferiorly

Inversion

When the ankle rolls outward

Isometric

Muscle contract but remain the same length

Isotonic contraction

Muscle contracting with the same tension

Isotonic concentric contraction

Length of muscles decrease

Isotonic eccentric contraction

Length of muscle increases

Isokinetic contraction

Equal movement

Agonist

Muscle that moves or generates force

Antagonist

The opposite of the agonist; does opposite joint movement

Fixator

Stabilizer; prevents movement at the other end of a muscle contraction

Synergist

Neutralizer; prevents a secondary movement