Movement Analysis Flashcards
Lever
A rigid bar that turns about an axis to create movement. All levers contain a fulcrum, load and effort.
Fulcrum
The fixed point at which a lever turns or is supported. It can also be referred to as the ‘axis’
Load
The weight or ‘resistance’ that the lever must move.
Effort
The force required to move the load. It can also be referred to as ‘force’
Load arm
The distance from the load to the fulcrum
Effort arm
The distance from the effort to the fulcrum
Mechanical advantage
Measures the efficiency of a lever. Calculated: effort arm divided by load arm
Extension
Increase in the angle of bones at a joint
Flexion
Decrease in the angle of bones at a joint
Abduction
Movement of a bone or limb away from the midline of the body
Adduction
Movement of a bone or limb towards the midline of the body
Plantar flexion
Movement at the ankle joint that points the toes and increases the angle at the ankle joint
Dorsiflexion
Movement at the ankle joint that flexes the foot upwards and decreases the angle at the ankle joint
Rotation
A circular movement around a joint or, in other words, a movement around an axis
Plane
An imaginary line that splits the body in two and depicts the direction of movement. There are three types of plane: frontal, transverse and sagittal.
