jointscyq

1. Joint Actions
Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
for Exercise

2. Anatomical Position
When analysing joint actions the starting point
is the anatomical position

3. Flexion and Extension
• Flexion – to reduce the angle at the joint or to
bend a limb
- e.g. bending the arm at the elbow
• Extension – to return from flexion, increase the
angle at the joint or to straighten the limb
- e.g. extending the arm or straightening the leg

4. Flexion and Extension

5. Abduction and Adduction
• Adduction – to bring towards or across the
midline of the body
- e.g. drawing the leg across the body
• Abduction – to take away from the midline of the
body
- e.g. raising the arm or leg out to the side

6. Abduction and Adduction

7. Rotation
• A rotary movement inward or outward
- e.g. turning the hip in and out, or rotation of
the thoracic vertebrae

8. Rotation

9. Circumduction
• Circle movement of the body
- e.g. with the arm

10. Circumduction

11. Horizontal Flexion and Extension
• Horizontal flexion – a forward movement in a
horizontal plane
- e.g. drawing the arm across the body as in a
pec dec exercise
• Horizontal extension – a backward movement in
a horizontal plane
- e.g. swinging the arm away from the body
NB: Also known as horizontal shoulder adduction (flexion) and abduction
(extension)

12. Horizontal Flexion and Extension

13. Elevation and Depression
• Elevation – to lift or raise a joint
- e.g. lifting the shoulders
• Depression – to drop or lower a joint
- dropping down the shoulders

14. Elevation and Depression

15. Lateral Flexion and Extension
• Lateral flexion - to bend sideways with the truck
or neck
- e.g. standing side bends or tilting the head
• Lateral extension - to straighten from a sideways
bending movement
- e.g. returning to an upright anatomical
position after performing a side bend

16. Lateral Flexion and Extension

17. Pronation and Supination
• Pronation
- e.g. to turn the palm down
• Supination
- e.g. to turn the palm up
NB: The terms ‘prone’ and ‘supine’ relevant to
exercise
Prone – face down
Supine - face up

18. Pronation and Supination

19. Plantar Flexion and Dorsi Flexion
• Plantar Flexion - pointing the toes away from
the body
- e.g. upward movement of a standing calf raise
• Dorsi Flexion - to pull the toes towards the body
- e.g. digging the heel in the ground

20. Plantar Flexion and Dorsi Flexion

21. Protraction and Retraction
• Protraction - the shoulders are drawn forwards,
rounding the shoulders
• Retraction - the shoulders are drawn back as if to
bring the shoulder blades (scapulae) as close
together as possible and push the chest forwards

22. Protraction and Retraction

23. Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
for Exercise
Bones & Joints
Special Populations

24. Bones and Joints - Special populations
Work on a case by case basis with individuals but bear
the following changes in mind
• Young people in the 14 – 16 age range
Growing bone not fully ossified therefore vulnerable to
damage.
Avoid heavy, very strenuous or repetitive exercise
• Pregnancy
Stability of synovial joints affected by the hormone
relaxin and altered centre of gravity.
Avoid high impact exercise and fast changes of
direction

25. Bones and Joints - Special populations
• Ageing
Decreased bone density – susceptibility to fractures/
osteoporosis
Decreased synovial fluid – stiffer joints
Thinning cartilage – reduced shock absorbency
Less elastic ligaments and tendons – reduced joint
stability
Age related diseases
• Disability
Limitations will be specific to the disability