KINESIOLOGY

Kineso = kinetics = movements / logy = study

Definition

Kinesiology is also known as human kinetics. It is the scientific study of human movements.

What is kinetic chain?

The very first concept we must know in kinesiology is the concept of kinetic chain.

The concept of the kinetic chain originated in 1875, when a mechanical engineer named Franz
reuleaux proposed that if a series of overlapping segments were connected via pin joints, these
interlocking joints would create a system that would allow the movement of one joint to affect the
movement of another joint within the kinetic link. Dr. Arthur Steindler adapted this theory in
1955, and included an analysis of human movement. Steindler suggested that the extremities be
viewed as a series of rigid, overlapping segments and defined the kinetic chain as a "combination
of several successively arranged joints constituting a complex motor unit." the movements that
occur within these segments present as two primary types - open and closed.

Every body part connects to all the other body parts. [The All or non-rule].

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 MOVEMENTS
Flexion:

Decreasing the angle at the joint is flexion.

1. Extension:
· Increase in the angle at the joint up to 180 degrees is extension.

2. Hyperextension:
· Increasing the angle at the joint above 180 degrees.
Note: shoulder/hand moving ahead is flexion and behind is hyperextension & taking it down
is extension [same with hip joint].

3. Abduction
· Taking the limb away from midline of the body is abduction.
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4. Adduction:
· Taking the limb towards the midline of the body is adduction.
· [Horizontal abduction and adduction is flying movements of both upper limbs].

1. Medial rotation:
· Rotating towards the central axis is medial rotation. [Also called as internal rotation].

2. Lateral rotation:
· Rotating away from central axis is lateral rotation [also called as external rotation].

7. Scapular movements:
· Elevation – Depression
· Internal – External rotation
· Adduction – Abduction

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1.Lateral flexion:
· Bending spine sideways
· Bending neck sideways

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9. Supination: palms up

10. Pronation: palms down

11. Rotation: moving around the central axis in 360 degrees is rotation

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12. Lateral rotation: twisting the torso in transverse plane towards back is lateral rotation.

13. Contralateral rotation: and bringing it back is contralateral rotation.

Example: lateral and contralateral rotation of spine and head.

14. Foot movements:

a. Plantar flexion: moving toes away.

b. Dorsi-flexion: moving toes close.
c. Inversion: turning the toes towards big toe.
d. Eversion: turning the toes towards smallest toe.
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15. Wrist movements:
a. Radial flexion: turning the palm towards radius.
b. Ulnar flexion: turning the palm towards ulna.

16. Thumb movements: thumb finger opposition: touching any finger with the thumb.

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17. Circumduction: combination of abduction, adduction, flexion, extension. [At shoulder
joint].

TYPES OF MOVEMENTS

I. According to the number of joints involved

1. Isolation movement: One joint movement

2. Compound movement: 2 joint movement
3. Power movement: More than 2 joints in a movement

II. Limb wise classification:

1. Bi-lateral movements: both limbs work together and are connected with something like a
bb, roller foam or board. – Example: BB bench press, BB curls, leg press, leg curls, leg
extensions…etc…

2. Iso lateral movements: both the limbs work together with the re is no connection between
them. Both work individually. Example: DB o/h press, DB biceps curl.

3. Unilateral movements: one limb working at a time. – Example: one arm DB row.

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III. Kinetic chain movements:

1. Closed chain movements: limbs fixed, body moves.

2. Open chain movements: body fixed, limbs moves.

IV. Support wise – classification of movements:

1. Supported movements: core is supported. [Given to beginners].

2. Unsupported movements: core is unsupported. [Given to conditioned clients].

V. Push – pull movements:

1. Pushing movements: taking the resistance or weight away from the body.
2. Pulling movements: moving the resistance/weight towards the body.

Components of a lever:

• Bones: they act as lever arms.

• Joints: they act as fulcrum ∆
• Muscles: they generate force/ they take efforts.
• Load: body's weight or external weight / resistance.

st
1 class lever
Fulcrum is placed between effort and load.
Example: neck movement.
nd
2 class lever
Load is placed between fulcrum and effort.
Example: calf raises, push-ups.
rd
3 class lever
Effort is placed between fulcrum and load.
Example: biceps curls, abs crunches.
Rule : as and when the weight moves away from the fulcrum, the effort increases [difficulty level/ D.O.D]

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