PATHFIT 1: Human Movement Science and Musculoskeletal System

Vocabulary flashcards covering human movement science foundations, legal bases of physical education, health- and skill-related fitness, body types, and the human musculoskeletal system.

Physical Education (PE)

A fundamental part of education that promotes the comprehensive physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual development of an individual through physical activities; often described as 'education through the physical.'

Movement

Any change in the position of the body or its parts in space.

Physical Activity

Bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure, encompassing occupational, household, sports, conditioning, and daily tasks.

Exercise

A planned, structured, and intentional category of physical activity.

1987 Philippine Constitution — Article XIV, Section 19

A constitutional mandate requiring the State to promote physical education and sports programs to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence while promoting a healthy and alert citizenry.

RA 5708

The Schools Physical Education and Sports Development Act of 1969, which provides for an integrated physical education and sports development program across schools.

CHED Memorandum Order No. 39, Series of 2021

A tertiary education policy mandating that there shall be no exemptions in PE/PATHFIT, although activities may be modified for Students with Additional Needs (SWANs) or those with prohibitive medical conditions.

Quickening

The earliest movements of a baby felt inside the womb (such as flutters, kicks, swishes, or rolls), typically starting between the 16th and 24th week of pregnancy.

Rooting Reflex

An infant reflex where the baby automatically turns its head in the direction of a touch on its cheek.

Startle Reflex

An involuntary reaction in an infant triggered by shock or the sudden sensation of falling.

Babinski Reflex

An infant reflex characterized by the toes fanning outward when the sole of the foot is stroked.

Physical Fitness

The ability to perform daily tasks alertly and vigorously without undue fatigue, while retaining adequate energy for leisure activities and unforeseen emergencies.

Cardiorespiratory Endurance

The capacity of the heart, lungs, and vascular system to work efficiently at moderate-to-high intensity over an extended duration.

Muscular Strength

The capacity of a muscle or muscle group to exert maximum force against resistance.

Muscular Endurance

The capacity of a muscle or muscle group to repeatedly perform work over time without experiencing fatigue.

Flexibility

The ability of muscles to allow joints to move through a wide, unrestricted range of motion without strain or injury.

Body Composition

The relative proportions of muscle, fat, bone, and other vital body tissues that make up total body weight.

Endomorph

A somatotype characterized by a rounded or curvaceous build with higher levels of body fat.

Mesomorph

A somatotype characterized by a large bone framework and a thick, muscular build around the middle.

Ectomorph

A somatotype characterized by a lean, slender physique with low body fat.

Speed

The skill-related fitness component defining the ability to move or cover a given distance within a short time.

Power

The ability to generate maximum force through a single explosive effort, combining speed and muscular strength.

Balance

The ability to retain bodily stability and equilibrium during stationary positions or movement transitions.

Agility

The skill-related fitness component reflecting the ability to change directions swiftly, smoothly, and under complete control.

Coordination

The harmonious integration and smooth timing between skeletal muscles and the nervous system during movement.

Reaction Time

The time taken to perceive and respond to an auditory, visual, or tactile sensory cue.

Metabolic Fitness

A component of physical fitness evaluated through physiological markers such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood insulin levels.

Musculoskeletal System

Also called the locomotor system; the bodily framework formed by the skeletal and muscular systems that provides structure, protects organs, and facilitates movement.

Long Bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide and function primarily in body support and movement (e.g., femur and humerus).

Short Bones

Cube-shaped bones providing stability with limited movement (e.g., carpals and tarsals).

Flat Bones

Curved, thin, and flattened bones whose primary function is shielding vital organs (e.g., sternum, ribs, and skull bones).

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex, non-uniform shapes adapted for specialized structural roles (e.g., vertebrae).

Sesamoid Bones

Bones that develop embedded inside tendons to protect the tendon from wear and increase mechanical advantage (e.g., patella).

Axial Skeleton

The central skeletal division comprising the skull, hyoid bone, vertebral column, and thoracic cage, primarily providing stability and organ protection.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal division comprising the upper and lower limbs along with the pectoral and pelvic girdles, primarily facilitating locomotion and movement.

Hyoid Bone

A small, U-shaped bone located in the neck that does not articulate directly with any other bone and aids the movement of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx.

True Ribs

Rib pairs 1 through 7 that connect directly to the sternum through individual costal cartilages.

False Ribs

Rib pairs 8 through 10 that do not connect directly to the sternum, attaching instead via a shared costal cartilage.

Floating Ribs

Rib pairs 11 and 12 that possess no anterior connection to the sternum or other costal cartilage.

Pectoral Girdle

The skeletal structure attaching the upper limbs to the axial skeleton, formed by the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade).

Pelvic Girdle

A structure composed of two large curved hip bones that supports upper body weight, aids in standing and locomotion, and protects internal organs.

Femur

The thigh bone; identified as the longest, strongest, and heaviest weight-bearing bone in the human body.

Tibia

The shinbone; serves as the primary weight-bearing bone of the lower leg.

Fibula

The slender lower-leg bone situated laterally to the tibia.