Key joint movements

Question 1

Explain the abduction movement.

Answer 1

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body. An example of this is moving your arms from the side of the body up to the shoulder or higher.

Question 2

Explain the adduction movement.

Answer 2

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body. An example of this is if a person has their arms straight out at the shoulders and brings them down to their sides.

Question 3

Explain the extension movement.

Answer 3

A straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts. For example, when standing up, the knees are extended.

Question 4

Explain the flexion movement.

Answer 4

Flexion is a bending movement that decreases the angle between a segment and its proximal segment. For example, bending the elbow, or clenching a hand into a fist, are examples of flexion.

Question 5

Explain the rotation movement.

Answer 5

This is where the limb moves in a circular movement around a fixed joint towards or away from the midline of the body. This occurs in the hip in golf while performing a drive shot.