Terminology Flashcards
A muscle that acts in opposition to the action produced by the prime mover
Antagonist
A muscle directly responsible for a joint action
Agonist (Prime Mover)
A muscle that helps the prime mover
Assistor
The study of motion and the action of forces on the body
Biomechanics
A muscle that contracts isometrically to keep a joint stable while movement occurs at the other joint.
Stabilizer
Continuing extension past neutral
Hyperextension
Movement AWAY from the midline of the body in either the frontal or horizontal plane
Abduction
Movements TOWARDS the midline of the body in either the frontal or horizontal plane
Adduction
Movement in which the extremity describes a 360• circle
Circumduction
The return from the position of elevation
Depression
An upward movement of the scapula with the vertebral border remaining approximately parallel to the spinal column.
Elevation
Movement of the foot with the sole turned outward (sometimes referred to as pronation)
Eversion
A forward, upward movement that brings the top of the foot toward the anterior surface of the leg.
Dorsiflexion
A motion increasing the angle between two bones
Extension
A motion decreasing the angle between two bones
Flexion
A backward movement of the flexed humerus in the horizontal plane
Horizontal Shoulder Extension (Horizontal Shoulder Abduction)
A forward movement of the abducted humerus in the horizontal plane
Horizontal Shoulder Flexion (Horizontal Shoulder Adduction)
Movement of the foot with the sole turned inward (sometimes referred to as supination)
Inversion
A forward, downward movement so that the top of the foot moves away from the anterior surface of the leg
Plantar Flexion
Medial movement of the forearm, with the palm in a downward position so the radius lies diagonally across the ulna.
Pronation
A lateral movement of the scapula away from the spinal column with the vertebral border remaining approximately parallel to it.
Protraction ( Scapula Abduction)
A medial movement of the scapula toward the spinal column combined with a reduction of lateral tilt.
Retraction ( Scapula Adduction )
Movement around an axis
Rotation
The lateral movement of the forearm, with the palm in an upward position so the radius and ulna are parallel.
Supination
A contraction in which the tension, developed by the shortening muscle, is at a constant level and is maximal over the full range of motion (cannot be done without specialized equipment)
Isokinetic
A static contraction; little or no joint movement; a muscle contraction in which tension increases without a change in muscle length.
Isometric
A contraction in which the tension remains constant as the muscle shortens or lengthens. It is rarely used during human performance, but is commonly referred to when describing dynamic free-weight or resistance-machine exercises.
Isotonic
Contraction occurs when tension generated by the muscle is sufficient to overcome a resistance (shortening phase), and moves (at a joint) a body segment of one attachment movement toward the segment of it’s other attachment (e.g., the upward or shortening phase of a biceps curl)
Concentric
A contraction occurs when a muscle slowly lowers a resistance (lengthening phase) as it returns from it’s shortened phase to normal resting length.
Eccentric
Position or direction:
To the front
Anterior
Position or direction:
To the back
Posterior
Position or direction:
Away from the midline
Lateral
Position or direction:
Toward the midline
Medial
Position or direction:
Above
Superior
Position or direction:
Below
Inferior
Position or direction:
Lying on the spine (on the back)
Supine
Position or direction:
Lying face down
Prone
The plane in which lateral movements of the body and body segments occur
Frontal Plane
The plane in which horizontal body and body segment movements occur when the body is in an erect, standing position.
Horizontal/Transverse Plane
The plane in which forward and backward movements of the body and body segments occur
Sagittal Plane
