Kinesiology Concepts and Definitions

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the Kinesiology lecture, serving as a study aid for understanding human movement, biomechanics, and related terms.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement through the application of anatomy, physiology, physics, and mechanics.

Biomechanics

The application of mechanics to the study of human movement.

Kinematics

Describes the motion of a body without regard to the forces or torques.

Kinetics

Describes the effect of forces and torques on the body.

Arthrokinematic Motion

Movements between the joint surfaces, including roll, spin, and glide.

Osteokinematic Motion

Movements of limbs through space about a joint, such as flexion/extension and abduction/adduction.

Anatomical Position

Erect posture with weight evenly distributed, eyes level and facing forward, feet parallel and slightly apart, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

Kinetic Chain

A series of connected rigid links that influence the type of movements.

Closed Kinetic Chain

Distal segment is fixed, and proximal segment is free to move.

Open Kinetic Chain

Distal segment is free to move, and proximal segment is fixed.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left halves, anterior to posterior.

Frontal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections, passing side to side.

Horizontal Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior sections, horizontally.

Sagittal Axis

Passes through the joint from anterior to posterior.

Frontal Axis

Passes through the joint from side to side.

Vertical Axis

Passes through the joint from superior to inferior.

Degrees of Freedom

The number of planes within which a joint can move.

Uniaxial Joint

A joint that allows motion in one plane about one axis; one degree of freedom.

Biaxial Joint

A joint that allows motion in two planes about two axes; two degrees of freedom.

Three Degrees of Freedom

Joints such as the shoulder and hip that allow movement in three planes.

One Degree of Freedom

Joints such as the elbow that allow motion in one plane.

Range of Motion

The amount of motion a joint can move in any of its possible directions.

Goniometer

An instrument used to measure the range of motion in a joint.

Flexion

A movement that decreases the angle between limb segments.

Extension

A movement that increases the angle between limb segments.

Abduction

A movement that draws a limb away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

A movement that brings a limb toward the midline of the body.

Medial Rotation

A movement that turns a limb toward the body's midline.

Lateral Rotation

A movement that turns a limb away from the body's midline.

Functional Outcomes

The results aimed for in physical therapy patient management.

Patient Management

The systematic approach to improving physical function in patients.

Movement Patterns

The typical ways in which movements are performed within the kinetic chain.

Posture

The position in which someone holds their body when standing or sitting.

Torque

A force that causes rotation about an axis.

Mechanics

The branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects.

Limitation of Movement

Factors that restrict the full range of motion or movement capabilities.

Applied Anatomy

The study of human anatomy in relation to movement and function.