Detailed Study Notes on Functional Movement Analysis

Starting Position Analysis

  • The focus begins with analyzing the initial position of the subject can be broken down systematically.

Knee Joint Analysis

  • The starting position of the knee is at 90 degrees of flexion.
    • Key observations:
    • The hip joint is also at 90 degrees.
    • The body position can be described by the arrangement of joints and limbs.
    • As the subject stands up, the direction of the motion indicates extension.
    • Type of Extension: Extension of the femur on the tibia at the tibiofemoral joint.
    • Starts at 90 degrees of flexion and moves to 0 degrees (full extension).

Muscles Involved in the Action

  • Main muscle group responsible for active motion of the knee during this process:
    • Quadriceps:
    • Function: They are engaged during standing up to extend the knee joint.
    • Type of Muscle Activity: They undergo concentric contraction (shortening) during this motion.

Hip Joint Analysis

  • Starting position at the hip is also at 90 degrees of flexion.
  • Direction of motion during standing indicates extension.
    • Type of Extension: Extension of the pelvis on the femur at the hip joint.
    • Muscle responsible:
      • Gluteus Maximus:
      • Also contracts concentrically to support extension during the standing up phase.

Trunk and Spinal Analysis

  • Description of trunk behavior:
    • Starting in a flexed position, the trunk flexors (rectus abdominis and obliques) assist in balance; however, the trunk extensors must engage to prevent falling forward.
    • During the upward motion, trunk extensors work concentrically to achieve the upright position.
      • Muscles: Erector Spinae.
      • Initial action: Eccentric contraction helps control the trunk while flexing.
      • Followed by concentric contraction to straighten the spine during motion.

Arm Motion Analysis

  • Starting position of the elbow is at 90 degrees of flexion.
    • Direction of motion upon standing is extension, classified as a closed chain activity:
    • Joint movement occurs at the radius and ulna joints (humeral radial and ulnar).
    • Main muscle involved:
      • Triceps:
      • Engages in concentric contraction to allow elbow extension from 90 to 0 degrees.

Wrist Movement during the Motion

  • Description of wrist action:
    • Initially extends from 0 to 70 degrees, influenced by elbow extension.
    • After releasing the chair, wrist flexes back to 0 degrees:
      • Driven by gravity.

Shoulder Joint Motion

  • Detailed motions of the shoulder:
    • First Phase: Shoulder extends from 0 to approximately 15 degrees of extension.
    • Minimal muscle activity is needed due to stabilization on the chair:
      • Latissimus Dorsi and potentially the pectoralis major may assist in further extension if needed.
    • Second Phase: Motion shifts from 15 degrees back to neutral (0 degrees of flexion).
      • Elbow is still held isometrically during this portion.

Specific Muscle Actions and Their Types

  • Analysis of specific muscles and their actions throughout various phases of the movements analyzed involved:
    • Flexors: Coordinate the beginning of the squat through eccentric and concentric activities.
    • Extensors: Focused on achieving a standing position from seated.
    • All analyzed muscles involve details regarding whether they contract concentrically or eccentrically, and more about the properties of each muscle.

Exercise Implications and Applications

Strengthening Needs

  • Key muscle groups that may require strengthening as a result of the analysis:
    • Triceps
    • Shoulder Extensors (Latissimus Dorsi)
    • Rotator Cuff Muscles
    • Trunk Muscles (Abdominals)

Exercise Specificity in Physiology

  • Describes the need to train specific muscle actions pertinent to their eventual movements:
    • Importance of understanding the context of open vs closed chain activities.
    • Recognizes the difference in strength versus endurance training approaches.

Volleyball Serving Analysis

  • Discussion about the biomechanics of serving in volleyball:
    • Identification of a painful arc occurring at 60 to 120 degrees of shoulder flexion due to potential impingement of structures within the subacromial space.
      • This could be caused by an imbalance between rotator cuff dynamics.
    • Targeted actions that could alleviate pain through strengthening:
    • Exercises targeting internal and external rotators are suggested.
      • Concentric and eccentric actions are necessary to work against gravity effectively.

Identifying and Addressing Tightness Issues

  • Consideration of other structures affecting shoulder motion, including:
    • Ligament Tightness
    • Strategies to stretch muscles that might hinder overhead movement.
  • Identifying potential targets for stretching, including:
    • Muscles that are tight when elevating the arms overhead.