Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy - Chapter 1

Definition and Scope of Kinesiology

  • Kinesiology is defined as the scientific study of human movement.

  • It represents the clinical application of four foundational sciences:

    • Anatomy

    • Physiology

    • Physics

    • Mechanics

  • The purpose of studying kinesiology in a clinical context is to understand the characteristics of typical or normal movement. This understanding allows practitioners to:

    • Effectively select appropriate treatments aimed at the development of physical therapy patient management.

    • Achieve maximum functional outcomes for the patient.

Mechanics and Biomechanics

  • Mechanics is the branch of physics that involves the study of forces exerted on objects.

  • Biomechanics involves the application of mechanical principles specifically to the study of human movement. It is divided into two main categories:

    • Kinematics: This branch describes the motion of a body without regard to the forces or torques that cause the motion. It encompasses both arthrokinematics and osteokinematics.

    • Kinetics: This branch describes the effect of forces and torques acting on the body.

Movement Classifications: Arthrokinematics and Osteokinematics

  • Arthrokinematic Motion:

    • Refers to movements occurring specifically between joint surfaces.

    • The three primary types of arthrokinematic motion are:

      • Roll

      • Spin

      • Glide (also referred to as slide)

  • Osteokinematic Motion:

    • Refers to the movement of limbs or body segments through space as they move about a joint.

    • Examples of these motions include:

      • Flexion and Extension

      • Abduction and Adduction

      • Medial Rotation and Lateral Rotation

Basic Principles of Joint and Muscle Function

  • Kinesiology relies on three fundamental principles regarding muscles and joints:

    • Understanding the specific movements that a particular joint allows.

    • Recognizing that a muscle must span a specific side of a joint surface in order to cause a specific movement.

    • Analyzing a muscle's line of pull relative to the joint it crosses (e.g., the elbow joint).

The Anatomical Position

  • The anatomical position is defined as an erect posture characterized by:

    • Body weight distributed evenly.

    • Eyes level and facing directly forward.

    • Feet parallel to each other and positioned slightly apart.

    • Arms resting at the sides with the palms of the hands facing forward.

  • Importance of the Anatomical Position:

    • It serves as the neutral starting position from which all limb segment movements are defined and measured.

Descriptive and Directional Terminology

  • The following terms are used to describe the location and relationship of body parts:

    • Superior: Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

    • Inferior: Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure.

    • Anterior (Ventral): Toward the front of the body.

    • Posterior (Dorsal): Toward the back of the body.

    • Medial: Toward the midline of the body.

    • Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.

    • Proximal: Closer to the trunk or the point of origin.

    • Distal: Farther from the trunk or the point of origin.

    • Cranial: Toward the head.

    • Caudal: Toward the tail or inferior end of the body.

Segments of the Human Body

  • The body is divided into several primary segments and regions:

    • Head and Neck.

    • Trunk: Comprised of the Thorax and the Abdomen.

    • Upper Extremities: Comprised of the Arm, Forearm, and Hand.

    • Lower Extremities: Comprised of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot.

Kinetic Chain Systems

  • A kinetic chain consists of a series of connected rigid links, such as limb segments, which influence the type and nature of movements.

  • There are two primary types of kinetic chains:

    • Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC): In this system, the distal segment is fixed (stationary), while the proximal segment is free to move.

    • Open Kinetic Chain (OKC): In this system, the distal segment is free to move, while the proximal segment remains fixed.

Planes and Axes of Motion

  • Movement is categorized by the plane in which it occurs and the axis around which it rotates.

  • Planes of the Body:

    • Sagittal Plane: Passes vertically from anterior to posterior, dividing the body into right and left halves.

    • Frontal Plane: Passes vertically from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

    • Horizontal (Transverse) Plane: Passes horizontally, dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

  • Axes of the Body:

    • Sagittal Axis: Passes through a joint from anterior to posterior.

    • Frontal Axis: Passes through a joint from side to side.

    • Vertical Axis: Passes through a joint from superior to inferior.

  • Relationship Between Planes and Axes:

    • Flexion and Extension: Occur in the sagittal plane about a frontal axis.

    • Abduction and Adduction: Occur in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.

    • Medial and Lateral Rotation: Occur in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis.

Degrees of Freedom

  • Degrees of freedom refer to the number of planes within which a specific joint can move.

  • Classifications:

    • Uniaxial Joint: Movement occurs in 11 plane about 11 axis; it possesses one degree of freedom.

    • Biaxial Joint: Movement occurs in 22 planes about 22 axes; it possesses two degrees of freedom.

    • Triaxial Joint: Movement occurs in 33 planes about 33 axes; it possesses three degrees of freedom.

  • Examples:

    • The Elbow joint has 11 degree of freedom.

    • The Wrist joint has 22 degrees of freedom.

    • The Shoulder and Hip joints each have 33 degrees of freedom.

Specific Osteokinematic Movements

  • These movements can be performed as Active Range of Motion (AROM) or Passive Range of Motion (PROM) and are described in relation to the anatomical position:

    • Flexion and Extension

    • Abduction and Adduction

    • Horizontal Abduction and Horizontal Adduction

    • Medial (Internal) Rotation and Lateral (External) Rotation

    • Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion

    • Radial Deviation and Ulnar Deviation

    • Lateral Flexion

    • Supination and Pronation

    • Inversion and Eversion

    • Circumduction

    • Opposition and Reposition

    • Scapular Retraction, Elevation, and Depression

Range of Motion (ROM)

  • Range of Motion is defined as the total amount of motion a joint is capable of moving in any of its possible directions.

  • Measurement and Standards:

    • ROM is measured using a tool called a goniometer.

    • The anatomical position is utilized as the 00 degree point (zero point) for these measurements.