1.3 Movement and Range of Motion

Movement

Anatomical Planes and Associated Movements

  • Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
    • Movements: Abduction, Adduction
  • Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right.
    • Movements: Flexion, Extension, Hyperextension, Lateral flexion
  • Transverse (Horizontal) Plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
    • Movements: Rotation (clockwise and counterclockwise)

Types of Movements

  • Flexion: Decreases the angle at the joint; position is less than 180 degrees.
  • Extension: Increases the angle at the joint; position is greater than or equal to 180 degrees.
  • Hyperextension: Overextension of the joint.
  • Lateral Flexion: Bending sideways (to the left or right).
  • Abduction: Movement away from the midline of the body.
  • Adduction: Movement toward the midline of the body.
  • Circumduction: Circular movement involving a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
  • Medial Rotation: Turning towards the midline; involves shoulder and hip joint rotations.
  • Lateral Rotation: Turning away from the midline.
  • Inversion: Moving the sole of the foot inward.
  • Eversion: Moving the sole of the foot outward.
  • Pronation: Rotation of forearm such that palm is facing down.
  • Supination: Rotation of forearm such that palm is facing up.
  • Dorsiflexion: Raising the foot so that the toes point upwards.
  • Plantar Flexion: Pointing the toes downward.

Measuring Range of Motion (ROM)

  • Used to assess the extent of joint injuries.
  • Can be measured actively (by the person) or passively (by an examiner).
  • Utilizes a goniometer to measure angles of joint movement.

Range of Motion of the Cervical and Lumbar Spine

  • Cervical Region:
    • Flexion: 45 degrees
    • Extension: 45 degrees
    • Lateral Flexion: 45 degrees
    • Rotation: Approximately 60 degrees
  • Lumbar Spine:
    • Flexion: Approximately 75-80 degrees
    • Extension: 20 to 30 degrees
    • Lateral Flexion: 35 degrees
    • Rotation: Approximately 45 degrees

Movements and ROM of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine

  • Flexion: 75 degrees
  • Hyperextension: 30 degrees
  • Lateral Flexion: 35 degrees to each side
  • Rotation: 35 degrees to each side

Joint Movements

  • Ball-and-Socket Joint Movements: Includes flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.
  • Example: Crossing arms involves flexion at the shoulder joint.

Key Muscles Involved in Movement

  • Trunk Flexion:
    • Agonist: Rectus abdominis
    • Synergists: External oblique, Internal oblique
  • Trunk Extension:
    • Antagonist Muscle Group: Erector spinae (includes three muscles)

Role of Oblique Muscles

  • External Oblique: Pulls chest downward, compresses abdominal cavity, aids in ipsilateral side-bending and contralateral rotation.
  • Internal Oblique: Works similarly, but with ipsilateral side-bending and rotation.
  • Contralateral Rotation: Motion created by a muscle rotating the neck to the opposite side of its location (e.g., left muscle rotating neck to the right).

Summary of Trunk Movements

  • Flexion: Anterior bending of neck or trunk.
  • Extension: Straightening from flexed position or bending backward.
  • Lateral Flexion: Bending towards the side.
  • Rotation: Horizontal plane rotary movement of the spine.

Study Questions

  1. Define types of joint movements at a ball-and-socket joint.
  2. Discuss the joints involved and movements for crossing arms in front of the chest.
  3. Identify opposite movements for: Adduction, Flexion, Medial rotation.
  4. Identify the plane for the following movements: Adduction, Flexion, Rotation.