Definitive Study Notes on Basic Terminology and Human Movement Analysis
Basic Terminology
Qualitative Analysis
Non-numerical data
Based on direct observation
Equipment not necessary
Focuses on time and space
Examples:
Rotation of femur during a golf swing
Adduction of humerus during freestyle swimming
Quantitative Analysis
Numerical data
Based on data collected
Equipment necessary
Focuses on forces
Examples:
Stress on shoulder during a baseball pitch
Compression force on femur during landing
Human Movement Analysis
Key Areas of Study in Human Movement Analysis:
Kinematics
Study of motion without considering the forces
Kinetics
Study of forces that cause motion
Biomechanics
Application of mechanics to biological systems
Kinesiology
Scientific study of human movement
Functional Anatomy
Study of body components necessary to achieve a goal
Distinctions:
Linear Motion vs. Angular Motion
Position, Velocity, Acceleration
Linear: straight-line motion
Angular: rotational motion
Areas of Study
Biomechanics vs. Kinesiology
Kinesiology:
Encompasses anatomical, physiological, psychological, and biomechanical aspects of human movement.
Biomechanics:
Focuses specifically on the application of mechanics to biologic systems.
Anatomy vs. Functional Anatomy
Anatomy:
Study of the structure of the body.
Example: Study of biceps brachii.
Functional Anatomy:
Focuses on body components necessary to achieve movement goals.
Example: Analysis of biceps curl for functional application.
Linear Motion vs. Angular Motion
Linear Motion:
Also known as translation or translational motion.
Involves movement along a straight or curved pathway where all points move the same distance in the same time.
Angular Motion:
Motion around an axis or point.
Kinematics vs. Kinetics
Both are biomechanical analyses.
Kinematics:
Examines space and time of movement without reference to forces.
Kinetics:
Examines forces that produce movement.
Quantitative Kinematics Example
Kinematics Data:
Circular path of wrist during a golf swing shows:
Club speed: 38.1 ext{ m/sec}
Ball speed: 50 ext{ m/sec}
Angle of swing: 13^ ext{o}
Statics vs. Dynamics
Statics:
Examines systems at rest or moving at a constant velocity.
Equilibrium achieved: No acceleration.
Example: Spaceship gliding through space.
Dynamics:
Examines systems that are being accelerated or decelerated.
Example: Softball pitching motion.
Skeleton Structure
Axial Skeleton:
Comprises the head, neck, and trunk.
Appendicular Skeleton:
Comprises upper and lower extremities.
Reference Positions in Anatomy
Anatomical Position:
Standard reference for the human body: palms face front.
Fundamental Position:
Similar to anatomical position but arms are more relaxed with palms facing inward.
Relative Angle:
The angle between two segments in the body.
Relative Position Terminology
Medial:
Closer to the midline of the body.
Lateral:
Farther from the midline of the body.
Proximal:
Closer to the origin of a limb from the trunk.
Distal:
Farther from the origin of a limb from the trunk.
Superior:
Above another part.
Inferior:
Below another part.
Additional Relative Position Descriptors
Anterior:
Front, also called ventral or palmar.
Posterior:
Back, also termed dorsal or plantar.
Ipsilateral:
Referring to the same side of the body.
Contralateral:
Referring to the opposite side of the body.
Movement Terminology
Flexion:
Decrease in joint angle.
Extension:
Increase in joint angle.
Hyperflexion:
Flexion beyond the normal range.
Hyperextension:
Extension beyond the normal range.
Abduction:
Movement away from the midline.
Adduction:
Movement toward the midline.
Hyperabduction:
Abduction past a 180° point.
Hyperadduction:
Adduction past a 0° point.
Rotation:
Can be medial (internal) or lateral (external).
Specific to the head and trunk for right/left movements.
Lateral Flexion:
Flexion of the spine to the side; example includes head tilting sideways.
Circumduction:
Movement in a conic fashion.
Movements of the Scapulae
Elevation:
Movement of the scapula towards the ears.
Depression:
Movement back to the normal resting position away from the ears.
Protraction:
Movement away from the spinal column.
Retraction:
Movement back towards the spinal column.
Upward Rotation:
The inferior angle of the scapula moves away from the trunk while the superior aspect moves toward it.
Downward Rotation:
Return of the scapula to the normal position.
Specialized Movement Descriptors
Horizontal Adduction:
Combination of flexion and adduction in a horizontal plane.
Horizontal Abduction:
Combination of extension and abduction in a horizontal plane.
Supination:
Rotation of the forearm with the palm facing up or forward.
Pronation:
Rotation of the forearm with the palm facing down or backward.
Radial Flexion/Deviation:
Movement of the hand towards the thumb.
Ulnar Flexion/Deviation:
Movement of the hand towards the little finger.
Movement Terminology of the Foot
Plantarflexion:
Movement of the foot downwards away from the leg (to stand on toes).
Dorsiflexion:
Movement of the foot upwards towards the leg.
Inversion:
Turning the sole of the foot inward; this is the most common cause of ankle sprains.
Eversion:
Turning the sole of the foot outward.
Pronation and Supination of the Foot
Pronation of the foot:
Combination of dorsiflexion at the ankle, eversion in the tarsals, and abduction of the forefoot.
Supination of the foot:
Combination of plantarflexion at the ankle, inversion in the tarsals, and adduction of the forefoot.
Distinctions in Foot Movement
Small nuances distinguish between pronation, supination, inversion, and eversion.
Pronation, Eversion, and Pes Valgus:
Common condition associated with flat feet.
Supination, Inversion, and Pes Varus:
Often characterized by a high arch.
Reference Systems in Biomechanics
Need for Reference Systems:
Essential for accurate observation and description of movements.
Axes:
Imaginary lines that intersect at right angles.
Origin:
Point of intersection of axes used for spatial reference.
Spatial Reference Systems
Coordinates can be defined regarding a spatial reference system.
Example: The Cartesian coordinate system defines points in two or three dimensions: (x,y) or (x,y,z).
Notable fact: Coordinates can be both positive and negative depending on their placement in the coordinate system.
Absolute vs. Relative
Relative Movement:
Movement described in relation to adjacent segments.
Absolute Movement:
Axes intersect at the center of a joint, centered around the movement itself.
Planes and Axes of Motion
Plane:
Flat, two-dimensional surface.
Cardinal Planes:
Planes oriented at right angles, intersecting the center of mass, defining movement.
Axis of Rotation:
Point around which rotation occurs, typically perpendicular to the plane of motion.
Cardinal Planes Defined
Sagittal Plane:
Divides the body into left and right; movement occurs around the mediolateral axis.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane:
Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back); movement occurs around the anteroposterior axis.
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane:
Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower); movement occurs around the longitudinal axis.
Degrees of Freedom in Joints
Degree of freedom
Number of planes in which a joint can move.
1 degree of freedom:
Uniaxial; example: humeroulnar joint (elbow).
2 degrees of freedom:
Biaxial; example: carpal joints (wrist).
3 degrees of freedom:
Triaxial; example: glenohumeral joint (shoulder).
Summary of Human Movement Analysis
Human movement is analyzed using the following methodologies:
Qualitative analysis (non-numerical, observational)
Quantitative analysis (numerical, data-driven)
Movement is described using anatomical movement descriptors in relation to defined planes of motion in the human body.