Movement analysis - key terms

Question 1

Lever

Answer 1

a rigid bar that turns about an axis to create movement. All levers contain a fulcrum, load and effort.

Question 2

Fulcrum

Answer 2

the fixed point at which a lever turns or is supported. It can also be referred to as the ‘axis’.

Question 3

Load

Answer 3

the weight or resistance that the lever must move.

Question 4

Effort

Answer 4

the force required to move the load. It can also be referred to as ‘force’.

Question 5

Load arm

Answer 5

distance from load to fulcrum.

Question 6

Effort arm

Answer 6

distance from effort to fulcrum

Question 7

Mechanical advantage

Answer 7

measures efficiency of a lever. Calculated effort arm / load arm

Question 8

Extension

Answer 8

increase in angles of bones at a joint

Question 9

Flexion

Answer 9

decrease in angle of bones at a joint.

Question 10

Abduction

Answer 10

movement of a bone or limb away from the midline of the body.

Question 11

Adduction

Answer 11

movement of a bone or limb towards from the midline of the body.

Question 12

Plantar flexion

Answer 12

movement at the ankle joint that points the toes and increases the angle at the ankle joint.

Question 13

Dorsiflexion

Answer 13

movement at the ankle joint that flexes the foot and decreases the angle at the ankle joint.

Question 14

Rotation

Answer 14

a circular movement around a joint or, a movement around an axis.

Question 15

Plane

Answer 15

a imaginary line that splits the body in two and depicts the direction of movement. 3 types: frontal, sagittal, transverse.

Question 16

Frontal plane

Answer 16

runs from left to right and divides the body into front and back halves.

Question 17

Transverse plane

Answer 17

divides the body in half horizontally.

Question 18

Sagittal plane

Answer 18

runs forwards and backwards and divides the body into left and right halves.

Question 19

Axis

Answer 19

an imaginary straight line through the body around which it rotates. 3 types: sagittal, transverse, longitudinal.

Question 20

Sagittal axis

Answer 20

runs horizontally through the body from front to back, through belly button.

Question 21

Transverse axis

Answer 21

runs horizontally through body from left to right at the hips.

Question 22

Longitudinal axis

Answer 22

runs vertically through body, from head to toe.