Foundations of Occupation: Kinesiology in Daily Life

80 USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Foundations of Occupation: Kinesiology in Daily Life

Course Details

  • Course Title: OT 510

  • Semester: Spring 2026

  • Week: 1

Course Expectations

  • Come to class ready to learn, in a manner that is suited for the individual.

  • Complete the Knowledge Check Quiz from the prior week before class.

  • Participate actively in labs and engage with classmates for collaborative learning.

  • Encourage students to ask questions about any topics they are unsure or curious about.

Lecture 1 Objectives

Overview

  • Title of Lecture: Course Introduction and Review of Terminology Related to Body Motions, Joint Classifications, and Introduction to Biomechanics (COG)

Learning Goals

At the conclusion of the lecture and lab sessions, students will be able to:

  • List the cardinal planes and axes of the human body.

  • Demonstrate and accurately name joint motions using proper terminology.

  • Describe the specific planes in which joint motions occur, as well as the axes around which they happen.

  • Classify joints based on the presented system regarding their structure and function and articulate the relationship between joint structure and movement capacity.

Kinesiology as a Foundation for Occupational Analysis

Key Concepts

  • Activity Analysis

  • Human Movement Concepts:

    • Planes and Axes

    • Body Motions

    • Joint Classification and Structure

Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy

Three Components

  1. Neuromuscular Physiology

  2. Musculoskeletal Anatomy

  3. Biomechanics/Physics

    • Definition: The scientific study of motion and the forces acting upon and within the body.

Application

  • Kinesiology is contextual and serves as one approach to analyze human occupations.

  • Emphasis on understanding that there are various perspectives for analyzing problems.

  • Memorization of muscle functions is insufficient; solutions are often context-dependent.

  • Occupational therapists utilize fundamental knowledge to analyze activities within the occupational context.

Observing Everyday Movements

Contextual Analysis

  • Observational study of typical daily movements aids in understanding motion in occupational therapy practices.

Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process

Overview

  • Describes the domain of occupational therapy and outlines the steps involved in the occupational therapy process along with actions in each step.

Domain

  • Encompasses areas of concern that occupational therapy practitioners address.

Process

  • Provides clarity on the procedural steps involved in occupational therapy, including:

    • Evaluation

    • Intervention

    • Targeting of Outcomes

OTPF: Domain of Occupational Therapy

Aspects of the Domain

  • Occupations:

    • Client performance factors

    • Skills and performance patterns

    • Contexts and environments

    • Daily Activities:

      • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

      • Instrumental ADLs (IADLs)

      • Rest and sleep

      • Education

      • Work

      • Play

      • Leisure

      • Social participation

  • Performance Factors:

    • Values, beliefs, and spirituality

    • Social roles and habits

    • Interaction skills and body functions

    • Temporal and virtual contexts

Focus Areas of OT 510

  • Concentration on the following occupations:

    • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

    • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

    • Rest and Sleep

    • Education

    • Work

    • Play and Leisure

    • Social Participation

OTPF: Process of Occupational Therapy

Identified Steps

  • Breakdown of the occupational therapy process including evaluation, intervention, and outcome targeting.

Biomechanical Frame of Reference

Emphasis Areas

  1. Range of Motion

  2. Strength

  3. Endurance

The Role of Meaning in Movement

Influencing Factors

  • Movement occurs due to cognitive states such as motor planning.

  • Emotional and psychological states also influence movement (affect, behavior).

Concepts Relating to Human Movement

  • Cover the understanding of:

  1. Anatomical Position and Body Motions

  2. Planes and Axes

  3. Joint Structure and Classification

Anatomical Position and Terms

Directions and Movements

  • Inferior: below

  • Superior: above

  • Lateral: away from the midline

  • Medial: toward the midline

  • Distal: further from the point of attachment

  • Proximal: closer to the point of attachment

Types of Movement from Anatomical Position

  • Flexion and Extension:

    • Flexion: decreasing the angle between two body parts

    • Extension: increasing the angle between body parts

  • Lateral Flexion R and L: bending the trunk to the right and left sides.

  • Rotation R and L: turning on an axis left or right.

  • Abduction and Adduction:

    • Abduction: movement away from midline

    • Adduction: movement toward midline

  • Horizontal Abduction and Adduction:

    • Movement of limbs in a horizontal plane compared to anatomical position.

  • Internal and External Rotation:

    • Internal Rotation: rotating toward the axis of the body

    • External Rotation: rotating away from the body's axis

  • Pronation and Supination:

    • Pronation: rotation of the forearm that turns the palm down.

    • Supination: rotation that turns the palm up.

  • Ulnar and Radial Deviation: movements of the wrist side to side.

  • Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion: movements related to the foot direction (up and down).

Planes of Movement

  • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into right and left halves.

  • Frontal Plane: Divides body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves.

  • Horizontal or Transverse Plane: Divides body into upper and lower sections.

Axes of Movement

  • X axis: Vertical axis for flexion/extension in the sagittal plane.

  • Y axis: Horizontal axis for supination/pronation and cervical rotation.

  • Z axis: Axis for abduction/adduction and lateral flexion.

Joint Classifications

Joint Structure Overview

  • Definition of Joint: A place where two or more bones are connected by soft tissues.

  • Movement Capability: The type of movement at a joint depends on its structure.

  • Categories:

    1. Non-Synovial Joints

    2. Synovial Joints

Non-Synovial Joints

  • Connective tissue unifies bones.

  • No joint cavity is present.

  • Characterized by limited to no motion.

  • Types:

    • Fibrous Joints:

      • Synarthrosis: bones united by dense connective tissue; no movement.

      • Syndesmosis: ligaments connect bones; slight movement.

      • Gomphosis: peg-in-socket insertion (like teeth).

    • Cartilaginous Joints:

      • Allow controlled movement.

      • Examples:

      • Pubic Symphysis

      • First Sternocostal Joint

Synovial Joints

  • Bones are joined via a joint capsule allowing for a greater range of movement.

  • Common Features:

    • Hyaline cartilage

    • Joint cavity

    • Synovial fluid

    • Synovial membrane

    • Joint capsule

  • Accessory Structures: disks, menisci, fat pads, ligaments, and tendons.

Degrees of Freedom in Synovial Joints

  1. Uniaxial (One Degree of Freedom):

    • Hinge Joint: allows flexion and extension (e.g., elbow and knee).

    • Pivot Joint: permits rotation around a single axis (e.g., atlantoaxial and proximal radioulnar joints).

  2. Biaxial (Two Degrees of Freedom):

    • Condyloid Joint: oval-shaped surface fitting into a concave surface (e.g., metacarpal joints).

    • Saddle Joint: convex in one plane and concave in another (e.g., carpometacarpal joint of the thumb).

  3. Multiaxial (Multiple Degrees of Freedom):

    • Ball and Socket Joint: spherical head fits into a cup-like cavity (e.g., hip and shoulder).

    • Plane Joint: joints with irregular surfaces allowing sliding movements (e.g., intercarpal joints).

Elbow Complex

  • Composed of three types of joints:

    • Humeroulnar Joint: hinge joint

    • Humeroradial Joint: plane joint

    • Proximal Radioulnar Joint: pivot joint