Word
Definition
Functional Anatomy
How the body works in relation to its parts (anatomy)
Abduction
The movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the body
Adduction
Moving of a body part toward the central axis of the body
Agonist
A muscle whose contraction moves a part of the body directly. Makes a movement happen at a joint.
Antagonist
A muscle that relaxes in opposition to another muscle which is contracting. Allows a movement to happen at a joint.
Biceps
A large muscle in the upper arm that flexes the arm at the elbow
Deltoid
A thick triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint
Dorsiflexion
Extension of the ankle (pulls the foot toward towards the shin)
Extension
The opposite of flexion. The straightening movement that increases the angle between two body parts at a joint
Flexion
The bending motion, decreasing the angle between two parts at a joint. E.g. bending the elbow
Hamstrings
The large muscle at the back of the leg above the knee and below the buttocks
Joint
A structure in the human or animal body at which two parts of the skeleton are fitted together.
Movement
An act or the process of moving
Plantarflexion
The movement of the foot toward the floor (like you are pointing your toes, or standing on tiptoes)
Quadriceps
A large muscle at the front of the thigh. Contains four muscles in this muscle group.
Rotation
The action of rotating around a central point e.g. turning your head to the side to look over your shoulder – rotation of the neck
Skeletal muscles
The muscles that we can voluntarily control to cause movements to happen at joints
Triceps
The large muscle at the back of the upper arm
Wrist Extensors
The muscles that extend the wrist (top of palm going back toward the top of the forearm)
Wrist Flexors
The muscles that flex the wrist (bend it forward so the palm is going toward the underside of the forearm)
Muscle Contraction
The shortening of a muscle to create a movement at a joint
Muscle Relaxation
The lengthening of a muscle across a joint to allow contraction of a muscle on the opposite side of the joint
Biomechanics
The mechanics of how human movement works
Balance & Stability
The ability to remain balanced of stable throughout a functional movement
Base of Support
The area of the body on the ground that helps to keep you balanced – the wider this area is (e.g. legs apart), the more balanced you would be; the narrower (standing on one foot), the less balanced you would be.
Centre of Gravity
The single point at which all parts of an object are equally balanced
Line of Gravity
The vertical line that passed through the centre of gravity to the ground
Force Summation
The added sum of forces from different muscles in our body
Newton’s 1st law
Law of inertia – ‘A body continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless an unbalanced force acts upon it.’
Newton’s 2nd law
Mass, Force and Acceleration - ‘The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force causing it, is in the same direction as the force, and is inversely proportional to the mass of the object’.
Newton’s 3rd Law
Action/Reaction - ‘Whenever a force is applied there is an equal and opposite reaction.’
Projectile Motion
An object’s flight path is parabolic as it is subject to gravity. The projectile depends on the angle of release, height of release and speed of release.
Exercise Physiology
The physiological responses in the body to exercise
Acute Responses
Immediate or short term responses to exercise
Aerobic Energy System
The energy system that uses oxygen to resynthesize ATP for energy. Longest lasting energy system – 2mins plus.
Anaerobic Energy System
The