Human Movement Science Flashcards
Biomechanics
The science concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the
effects produced by these forces
proximal
Positioned nearest the center of the body or a point of reference
distal
positioned farthest from the center of the body or a point of reference
anterior
on the front of the body
posterior
on the back of the body
medial
positioned near the middle of the body
lateral
positioned toward the outside of the body
contralateral
positioned on the opposite side of the body
ipsilateral
positioned on the same side of the body
anatomic position
he position with the body erect, the arms at the sides, and the palms facing forward. It is the
base for all anatomic terminology
—An imaginary bisector that divides the body into left and right halves
sagittal plane
flexion
A bending movement in which the relative angle between two adjacent segments decreases.
A straightening movement in which the relative angle between two adjacent segments increases.
extension
hyperextension
—Extension of a joint beyond the normal limit or range of motion
frontal plane
an imaginary bisector that divides the body into front and back halves
Abduction
A movement in the frontal plane away from the midline of the body.
Adduction
a movement in the frontal plane toward the midline of the body
An imaginary bisector that divides the body into top and bottom halves.
transverse plane
Internal rotation
Rotation of a joint toward the middle of the body.
external rotation
rotation of a joint away from the middle of the body
horizontal abduction
Movement of the arm or thigh in the transverse plane from an anterior position to a lateral
position.
horizontal adduction
Movement of the arm or thigh in the transverse plane from a lateral position to an anterior
one
scapular retraction
Adduction of the scapulae; shoulder blades move toward the midline.
scapular protraction
Abduction of the scapulae; shoulder blades move away from the midline
scapular depression
Downward (inferior) movement of the scapulae
scapular elevation
Upward (superior) movement of the scapulae.
When a muscle develops tension while lengthening; resistive force is greater than
muscular force
Eccentric muscle action
Concentric muscle action
When a muscle is exerting force greater than the resistive force, resulting in shortening
of the muscle
Isometric muscle action
When a muscle is exerting force equal to the force being placed on it, leading to no visible
change in the muscle length.
Isokinetic muscle action
When a muscle shortens at a constant speed over the full range of motion.
Length-tension relationship
The resting length of a muscle and the tension the muscle can produce at this resting
length.
Force-couple
muscle groups moving together to produce movement around a joint
rotary motion
movement of the bones around the joints
torque
a force that produces rotation. common unit of torque is the newton-meter or Nm.
Motor behavior
motor response to internal and external stimuli
motor control
How the CNS integrates internal and external sensory information with previous experiences to
produce a motor response.
—Integration of motor control processes through practice and experience, leading to a relatively
permanent change in the capacity to produce skilled movements
motor learning
The change in motor skill behavior over time throughout the lifespan
motor development
muscle synergies
Groups of muscles that are recruited by the CNS to provide movement.
proprioception
The cumulative sensory input to the CNS from all mechanoreceptors that sense position and limb
movement
The cooperation of the nervous and muscular system in gathering and interpreting
information and executing movement
sensorimotor integration
The use of sensory information and sensorimotor integration to help the Human Movement System in
motor learning
Feedback
the process whereby sensory information is used by the body to reactively monitor movement
and the environment.
internal feedback
external feedback
Information provided by some external source, such as a fitness professional, video, mirror, or
heart rate monitor, to supplement feedback from the internal environment
