Kinesiology Notes

Kinesiology

  • Definition: Kinesiology is the study of movement.
  • Fields Involved: It combines anatomy, physiology, physics, and geometry to understand human movement.
  • Principles Utilized: Kinesiology applies principles of mechanics, musculoskeletal anatomy, and neuromuscular physiology.
  • Biomechanics: Mechanical principles applied to the human body.
  • Interaction: Considers the interaction with implements like balls, rackets, crutches, or prostheses.
  • Systems: Includes static (nonmoving) and dynamic (moving) systems related to activities.
  • Dynamic Systems:
    • Kinetics: Forces causing movement.
    • Kinematics: Time, space, and mass aspects of a moving system.

Structural Kinesiology

  • Definition: The study of muscles, bones, and joints involved in the science of movement.
  • Enhancement: Uses physiological and mechanical principles to enhance the understanding of body structures.
  • Examples:
    • Bones vary in size and shape, affecting the amount and type of movement at joints.
    • Joints vary in structure and function.
    • Muscles vary in size, shape, and structure.
  • Physical Therapist Understanding: Physical therapists should understand large muscle groups to teach strengthening, improvement, and maintenance of optimal body function.
  • Exercise Programs: Knowledge forms the basis of exercise programs to strengthen and maintain muscles; larger primary movers often involve smaller muscles, but detailed programs may be needed for specific muscles.

Reference Positions

  • Importance: Crucial for understanding the musculoskeletal system, planes of motion, joint classification, and joint movement terminology.
  • Two Reference Positions:
    • Anatomical Position:
      • Widely used and accurate for all body aspects.
      • Subject stands upright, facing straight ahead.
      • Feet are parallel and close, with palms facing forward.
    • Fundamental Position:
      • Similar to the anatomical position.
      • Arms are at the sides with palms facing the body.

Anatomical Directional Terminology

  • Anterior: In front or in the front part (e.g., Anteroinferior, Anteromedial, Anteroposterior, Anterosuperior).
  • Bilateral: Relating to the right and left sides of the body or a body structure.
  • Contralateral: Pertaining to the opposite side.
  • Deep: Beneath or below the surface; describes relative depth of muscles or tissue.
  • Distal: Away from the center or midline of the body, or away from the point of origin.
  • Dorsal (Dorsum): Relating to the back, near or toward the back, posterior part, or upper surface; also relating to the top of the foot.
  • Inferior (Infra): Below in relation to another structure.
  • Ipsilateral: On the same side.
  • Lateral: On or to the side.
  • Medial: Relating to the middle or center; nearer to the median or midsagittal plane.
  • Palmar: Relating to the palm or volar aspect of the hand.
  • Plantar: Relating to the sole or undersurface of the foot.
  • Posterior: Behind, in back, or in the rear (e.g., Posteroinferior: Behind or in back and below).
  • Prone: Face-downward position of the body; lying on the stomach.
  • Proximal: Nearest the trunk or the point of origin.
  • Superficial: Near the surface; describes relative depth of muscles or tissue.
  • Superior (Supra): Above in relation to another structure; higher.
  • Supine: Face-upward position of the body; lying on the back.
  • Volar: Relating to the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.

Alignment Variation Terminology

  • Kyphosis: Increased curving of the spine outward or backward in the sagittal plane.
  • Lordosis: Increased curving of the spine inward or forward in the sagittal plane.
  • Recurvatum: Bending backward, as in knee hyperextension.
  • Scoliosis: Lateral curving of the spine.
  • Valgus: Outward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint, as in knock-knees.
  • Varus: Inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint, as in bow-legs.

Types of Motion

  • Linear Motion: Also called translatory motion; occurs in a straight line from one location to another.
    • All parts of the object move the same distance, in the same direction, and at the same time.
    • Rectilinear Motion: Movement in a straight line.
    • Curvilinear Motion: Movement in a curved path.
  • Angular Motion: Also known as rotary motion; movement of an object about a fixed point.
    • All parts of the object move through the same angle, in the same direction, and at the same time, but not the same distance.
    • Example: When a person flexes the elbow, the hand travels farther than the wrist or forearm.
  • Examples Combining Motions:
    • A person in a wheelchair moving across a room exhibits linear motion, while joints like shoulders, elbows, and wrists rotate (angular motion).
    • Walking involves linear motion of the whole body with angular motion at the hips, knees, and ankles.
  • Throwing a ball: The ball travels in a curvilinear path due to the angular movement of the upper extremity joints.

Body Regions

  • Divisions: The body is divided into axial and appendicular regions.
  • Subregions: Further divided into subregions like cephalic, cervical, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs.

Skeletal System -- Composition of Bone

  • Bones as Organs: Bones are considered organs because they comprise fibrous, cartilaginous, osseous, nervous, and vascular tissues, functioning as integral parts of the skeletal system.
  • Composition: Bone is made up of one-third organic (living) material and two-thirds inorganic (nonliving) material.
    • Organic Material: Provides elasticity.
    • Inorganic Material: Provides hardness and strength, making bone opaque on X-rays.