Chapter 1: Kinesiology and Clinical Applications

NPTE Practice Questions

  • Question: Shoulder abduction occurs around what axis of motion?

    • Options:

    • anterior-posterior

    • medial-lateral

    • vertical

    • sagittal

About Me

Educational Background

  • AAS PTA (Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant)

  • BS in Exercise Science

  • MEd in Instructional Design

  • APTA Advanced Proficiency in Orthopedics

Professional Involvement

  • Speaker on rural health and PTA education/professional involvement

  • PTA Council Representative (Wyoming)

  • Wyoming Board of Directors member

  • APTA Academic of Education (Finance Committee)

  • CAPTE Accreditation Reviewer

  • Former Treasurer of APTA Aquatics

Teaching Experience

  • Ten years’ experience in higher education

  • Program Director at LCCC since 2022 (2022-2025)

Personal Life

  • Values in education:

    • Accountability

    • Professionalism/Respect

    • Active Learning

    • Hands-on Practice

  • Hobbies:

    • Soccer

    • Reading

    • Ukulele

    • Learning

    • Being a Dad

Course Information

PTAT 1700: Functional Kinesiology for the PTA

  • Course Overview:

    • Syllabus and Student Resources available for review.

    • Module 0 - Start Here!

    • Weeks 1 & 2: Clinical Kinesiology Foundations

    • Week 3: Arthrokinematics and Musculoskeletal Foundations

    • Week 4: Circulatory, Pulmonary, and Nervous Systems Foundations

    • Week 5: First Skill Check, Head, & TMJ

  • Recent Announcements:

    • Lunch & Learn opportunities: January 22 and February 26.

    • Various lab sessions and entry tickets scheduled through the semester.

Basic Information on Kinesiology

Basic Terms

  • Kinesiology: The study of human movement that utilizes anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and physics.

    • Focuses on whole-body movement and its causes.

  • Biomechanics: The application of mechanics and physics to the human body.

    • Example 1: Calculating tension on the Achilles tendon during a calf raise.

    • Example 2: Evaluating forces on toes during jumping and landing.

Kinematics vs. Kinetics

  • Kinematics: Describes movement without considering forces. Focuses on the path, speed, and timing of the movement.

    • Asks, "What is moving and where is it going?"

  • Kinetics: Examines the forces (gravity, friction, muscle contraction) that initiate or resist movement.

    • Example: Kinetics describes the force required by the hamstring to bend the knee quickly by 90°.

Osteokinematics

  • Definition: Movement of bones or limbs around a joint axis.

  • Describes voluntary motions like flexion/extension and abduction/adduction.

    • Example: Shoulder abduction is the humerus moving away from the midline during a lateral raise.

Arthrokinematics

  • Definition: Movements within the joint capsule at articular surfaces.

  • Involuntary motions classified into:

    • Roll: One surface rolls on another (like a wheel on the road).

    • Glide (Slide): Linear movement across another surface (like a tire skidding).

    • Note: Rolling is always accompanied by sliding.

    • Spin: One surface rotates around a fixed point (like a spinning top).

Importance of Studying Kinesiology

  • Understanding human movement is foundational to:

    • Physical therapy patient management.

    • Aiming for maximum functional outcomes.

    • Creating a common language/foundation based on the anatomical position.

The Anatomical Position

  • Definition: Erect posture where:

    • Weight evenly distributed.

    • Eyes level and facing forward.

    • Feet parallel and slightly apart.

    • Arms at the sides with palms facing forward (supinated).

  • Neutral position serves as a reference for defining and measuring limb movements (gonimetry).

Directional Terms (Medical Terminology)

  • Terms include:

    • Superior: Above

    • Inferior: Below

    • Anterior: Front

    • Posterior: Back

    • Medial: Toward midline

    • Lateral: Away from midline

    • Proximal: Closer to the body

    • Distal: Further from the body

    • Dorsal: Back side

    • Ventral: Front side

    • Cranial: Towards the head

    • Caudal: Towards the tail or lower part of the body

Segments of the Body

  • Upper Extremity:

    • Comprises arm, forearm, and hand.

  • Lower Extremity:

    • Includes similar segmentation principles.

Kinetic Chain Classifications

  • Movements classified as:

    • Closed Kinetic Chain: Distal segment is fixed, and the proximal segment moves.

    • Open Kinetic Chain: Distal segment is free to move, while the proximal segment is fixed.

Examples of Kinetic Chain Configurations

  • Standing still (closed chain)

  • Pushing to stand using armrests (closed chain)

  • Swinging legs while seated (open chain)

Planes of Motion

Major Planes

  • Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into right and left sides; action occurs around the frontal axis.

  • Frontal Plane: Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior); action occurs around the sagittal axis.

  • Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior sections; action occurs around the vertical axis.

Axes of Movement

Types of Axes

  • Sagittal Axis: Passes through the joint anterior to posterior.

  • Frontal Axis: Passes through the joint side to side.

  • Vertical Axis: Passes through the joint superior to inferior.

Osteokinematic Motions and Degrees of Freedom

Degrees of Freedom in Joints

  • Uniaxial (1 Degree): Motion in one plane (e.g., hinge joints like the elbow).

  • Biaxial (2 Degrees): Motion in two planes (e.g., joint movements of the wrist).

  • Multiaxial (3 Degrees): Motion in three planes (e.g., shoulder and hip).

Example Motions

  • Flexion: Decreases the angle between two anterior joint sections; occurs in the sagittal plane about a frontal axis.

  • Extension: Increases the angle between two joint sections; occurs similarly as flexion.

  • Abduction: Movement away from the body's midline; occurs in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.

Motion Types

  • Medial/Lateral Rotation: Internal/external rotation of the shoulder.

  • Triplanar Movements: Includes opposition and circumduction movements, such as thumb opposition and ankle pronation/supination.

Range of Motion (ROM)

  • Definition: The amount of motion possible in any direction about a joint.

    • Distinguishes between Passive (external force) and Active (muscle contraction) movement.

  • Measurement: Typically measured with a goniometer, using anatomical position as the reference point for zero.

Movement Practice

Types of Movements

  • Practice exercises may include analyzing various movements and determining their ROM.

  • Evaluation of active versus passive ROM capabilities.

Clinical Assessment Techniques

Palpation Guidelines

  • Prior to palpation, perform hand hygiene and secure consent from the patient.

  • Use finger pads rather than tips for palpation, progressing from light to firm pressure, while maintaining visualization of the anatomical layers during assessment.

Clinical Comparisons

  • Perform bilateral comparisons to establish baselines and identify anomalies in tissue characteristics, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Indications and Contraindications for Clinical Assessment

  • Indications:

    • Assess for pain, swelling, and tenderness.

    • Monitor skin changes.

    • Identifying areas of skin irritation, infection, or increased sensitivity.

  • Contraindications:

    • Avoid areas with known infections or open wounds.

    • Prevent assessment on areas with potentially compromised tissue integrity.

Ethical Considerations

  • Always prioritize informed consent and patient comfort to ensure ethical practice within assessments and interventions.