UNIT I: PHYSICAL FITNESS INTRODUCTION

PRELIMINARIES: (Use separate forms)

 PAR - Q
 BMI & Hip to Waist Ratio

KINESIOLOGY of MOVEMENTS
Understanding Planes and Axes of Movement
Terminologies

o Anterior or Ventral: Toward or on the front of the body: in front of

 The pectorals are on the anterior aspect of the body.
o Posterior or Dorsal: Towards or on the back of the body: behind
 The rhomboids are on the posterior aspect of the body
o Superior or Cranial: Toward the head or upper part of a structure: above
 The humerus is superior to the radius
o Inferior or Caudal: Toward the lower part of a structure: below
 The tibia is inferior to the femur
o Medial: Toward or at the midline of the body: inner side
 The middle toe is located at the medial side of the foot
o Lateral: Away from the midline of the body: outer side
 The little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot
o Proximal: Closer to the origin of a point of reference
 The elbow is proximal to the wrist
o Distal: Further from the origin of a part or point of reference
 The foot is distal to the knee

Planes and Axis

Human movements are described in three dimensions based on a series of planes and axis. There are
three planes of motion that pass through the human body.
The Sagittal plane lies vertically and divides the body into right and left parts.

Movement in the Sagittal Plane:

Flexion:  Decreasing the angle between two bones

Extension: Increasing the Angle between two bones

Dorsiflexion: Moving the top of the foot toward the shin (only at the ankle)
Plantar flexion: moving the sole of the foot downward (pointing the toes)

The frontal plane also lies vertically however divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Movement in the Frontal:

Adduction: Motion toward the midline

Abduction: Motion away from the midline of the body

Protraction: forward movement of the scapula resulting in the

hunching of the shoulders
Retraction: backward movement of the scapula pulling together
to square up the shoulders

Elevation: Moving to a superior position (only at the scapula)

Depression: Moving to an inferior position (only at the scapula)

Inversion: Lifting the medial border of the foot

Eversion: Lifting the lateral border of the foot
The transverse plane lies horizontally and divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Movement in the Transverse:

Rotation- Internal (inward) or external (outward)

turning about the vertical axis of the bone

Pronation- Rotating the hand and wrist medially from the bone
Supination-Rotating the hand and wrist laterally from the bone

Horizontal Flexion (adduction)-

From the 90-degree abducted arm position,
the humerus is flexed (adducted) in toward
the midline of the body in the transverse plane

Horizontal Extension(abduction)-
Return of the humerus from horizontal flexion

Lateral Flexion:
Refers to movement of the spine laterally away from the midline of the body. 
This can be seen when we bend to one side.

Lateral rotation:  The movement of a body segment where the front

(anterior) of the segment rotates laterally (outwards) away from
the midline of the body. 

Medial rotation:  The movement of a body segment where the front

(anterior) of the segment rotates medially (inwards) towards
the midline of the body. 

McGinnis, (1999)