Movement analysis - key terms 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
distance from load to fulcrum.
Effort arm
distance from effort to fulcrum
Mechanical advantage
measures efficiency of a lever. Calculated effort arm / load arm
Extension
increase in angles of bones at a joint
Flexion
decrease in 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 from 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 and decreases the angle at the ankle joint.
Rotation
a circular movement around a joint or, a movement around an axis.
Plane
a imaginary line that splits the body in two and depicts the direction of movement. 3 types: frontal, sagittal, transverse.
Frontal plane
runs from left to right and divides the body into front and back halves.
Transverse plane
divides the body in half horizontally.
Sagittal plane
runs forwards and backwards and divides the body into left and right halves.
Axis
an imaginary straight line through the body around which it rotates. 3 types: sagittal, transverse, longitudinal.
Sagittal axis
runs horizontally through the body from front to back, through belly button.
Transverse axis
runs horizontally through body from left to right at the hips.
Longitudinal axis
runs vertically through body, from head to toe.
