Unit 4

Front 1

Kinesiology

Back 1

The science or study of movement, and the active and passive structures involved.

Front 2

Biomechanics

Back 2

The study of the mechanical aspects of physical movement, such as torque, drag, and posture, that is used to enhance athletic technique.

Front 3

Concentric Contraction

Back 3

A type of muscle activation that increases tension on a muscle as it shortens.

Front 4

Eccentric Contraction

Back 4

A type of muscle activation that increases tension on a muscle as it lengthens.

Front 5

Isometric Contraction

Back 5

A muscle activation in which the muscle fires but there is no movement at the joint and no change in length of the muscle.

Front 6

Stabilization

Back 6

The act of being stable or balanced.

Front 7

Prime Mover (Agonist)

Back 7

Denoting a muscle (main muscle) in a state of contraction, with reference to its opposing muscle, or antagonist.

Front 8

Assistant Mover

Back 8

Muscle that plays a secondary role to the prime mover involved.

Front 9

Antagonist

Back 9

Something opposing or resisting the action of another.

Front 10

Co-contraction

Back 10

When both the agonist and antagonist undergo contraction.

Front 11

Stabilizer

Back 11

Muscle that steadies or holds a body part in place.

Front 12

Helping Synergy

Back 12

When two muscles contract together to create one movement.

Front 13

True Synergy

Back 13

When a muscle contracts to stop the secondary action of another muscle.

Front 14

Neutralizer

Back 14

When a muscle contracts to counteract an undesirable action of another muscle.

Front 15

Sagittal (Anteroposterior) Plane

Back 15

Separates the body into right and left sections. (Examples: walking, squatting, lunging).

Front 16

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Back 16

Separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts. (Examples: shoulder press, side lung, hip abduction).

Front 17

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Back 17

Separates the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) sections. (Examples: spinal rotation, bench press, pec fly, rear fly).

Front 18

Flexion

Back 18

A decrease in the angle between two body segments. (Example: a bicep curl, bending sideways, bending of the wrist and angle).

Front 19

Dorsiflexion

Back 19

Turning upward of the foot or toes or of the hand or fingers.

Front 20

Plantarflexion

Back 20

Extension of the ankle, pointing of the foot and toes.

Front 21

Extension

Back 21

An increase in the angle between two body segments, or the return from flexion. (Example: leg extensions).

Front 22

Hyperextension

Back 22

Extension of a limb or part beyond the normal limit. (Example: the back swing in bowling (shoulder joint) and the back machine where the back is extended backwards beyond the normal seated position).

Front 23

Abduction

Back 23

Movement of a body part away from the midline.