This course introduces the joint actions of the human body and discusses the joint actions possible for each of the large joints. For example, the hip joint can perform flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal adduction, and horizontal abduction. These joint actions are then used to describe the motions of various common exercises.
This course introduces the joint actions of the human body and discusses the joint actions possible for each of the large joints. For example, the hip joint can perform flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal adduction, and horizontal abduction. These joint actions are then used to describe the motions of various common exercises.
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Joint Action (Definition) : Joint actions are the labels given to the movement of bones around a joint. Each pair of joint actions is associated with a plane of motion.
The motions of bones that are permitted by joints are described with the terms known as “joint actions.” Joint actions are used to improve the accuracy of communication between movement professionals when describing exercise, therapeutic interventions, sports motions, and daily activities. Examples of joint actions include flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, horizontal adduction, horizontal abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Movement professionals can use knowledge of joint actions to aid in analyzing motion; for example, a wide-grip (conventional) pull-up is shoulder joint adduction, and a close-grip (chin-up) pull-up is shoulder extension. Or, during a lunge, the hip joint performs extension, the knee joint performs extension, and the ankle joint performs plantar flexion. The joint actions correspond to the recruitment of muscles, which may have a significant effect on exercise and technique selection.
Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.) must know joint actions to communicate with other professionals, analyze movement, and develop sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Note, that joint actions also correspond to the planes of motion discussed in the previous lesson (for example, flexion and extension are sagittal plane joint actions). Further, joint actions are essential knowledge for upcoming lessons discussing the function of synovial joints (e.g. pivot joints, gliding joints, hinge joints, etc.), connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, etc.), and muscle actions (e.g., eccentric, concentric, etc.).
Sagittal Plane Joint Actions
Frontal Plane Joint Actions
Transverse Plane Joint Actions
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