Foundations of Anatomy and Biomechanics

What movements occur primarily in the frontal plane?

Abduction and adduction.

What movements occur primarily in the sagittal plane?

Flexion and extension.

What movements occur primarily in the transverse plane?

Rotational movements.

What axis is associated with movement in the frontal plane?

Sagittal axis.

Give an example of movement around the sagittal axis.

Shoulder abduction/adduction.

What axis is associated with movement in the sagittal plane?

Frontal/transverse axis.

Give an example of movement around the frontal/transverse axis.

Elbow flexion/extension

What is PROM?

Passive ROM; movement is completed by an external force, such as a therapist.

What is AROM?

Active ROM; movement is completed through the client's own muscular contractions.

What is AAROM?

Active-assistive ROM; the client initiates movement but uses an external force to reach end range.

What is SROM?

Self-ROM; the client uses their unaffected extremity to move the affected extremity to end range.

What is a kinetic chain?

A series of connected rigid links.

What is a closed kinetic chain?

The distal segment is fixed while the proximal segment is free to move.

What is an open kinetic chain?

The distal segment is free to move while the proximal segment is fixed.

What is heterotopic ossification?

Bone growth over prominences that negatively impacts mobility or function.

What is Wolff's Law?

Growing bone adapts to the forces placed upon it.

What is an articulation?

The point of contact or connection between two surfaces; a joint.

What is a closed-packed position?

A position where the ligaments and capsule are taut and the joint surfaces have maximum congruency.

What is an open-packed position?

A resting position where the capsule and ligaments are lax and there is minimal congruency.

Why is an open-packed position important?

It is the best position for joint mobilizations and allows roll, spin, and glide.

What are the three functional classifications of joints?

Synarthrosis = immovable, amphiarthrosis = slightly movable, diarthrosis = freely movable.

What is an isometric contraction?

There is no joint movement and no change in muscle length.

Give an example of an isometric contraction.

Pushing against a wall.

What happens during a concentric contraction?

The muscle shortens and the origin and insertion move toward one another.

Give an example of a concentric contraction.

The upward phase of a biceps curl

What happens during an eccentric contraction?

The muscle lengthens while controlling/decelerating movement.

Give an example of an eccentric contraction

Using the triceps to slowly lower yourself into a chair.

What is an agonist/prime mover?

The muscle that causes the movement.

What is an assisting mover?

A muscle that assists with movement but is less effective.

What is an antagonist?

A muscle that performs the opposite movement of the agonist.

During elbow flexion, what is the agonist? Antagonist?

Biceps/brachialis = agonists; triceps = antagonist

What is active insufficiency?

When a muscle cannot shorten enough to produce full ROM across all joints it crosses.

What is passive insufficiency?

When a muscle cannot lengthen enough to allow full ROM across all joints it crosses.

What is biomechanics?

Applying principles of physics and mechanics to the human body; studying forces and the motion produced by those forces.

What is Newton's First Law?

The Law of Inertia—objects at rest tend to stay at rest and objects in motion tend to stay in motion unless acted upon by a force.

What is Newton's Second Law?

The Law of Acceleration: F = ma.

What is Newton's Third Law?

The Law of Action-Reaction: for every action/force, there is an equal and opposite reaction.