Anatomical Terms of Movement

• The frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves.
• Lateral rotation is rotating a limb away from the body's midline.
• Plantar flexion moves toes away from the shin, like pointing toes downward.
• The transverse plane divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) sections.
• Adduction moves a limb toward the body's midline.
• Posterior refers to the body's back side.
• Dorsiflexion moves the foot upward toward the shin.
• Medial rotation rotates a limb toward the body's midline.
• The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left halves.
• Abduction moves a limb away from the body's midline.
• Inferior refers to a position below another body part.
• Circumduction is a circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
• The anterior side of the body refers to the front.
• Flexion decreases the angle of a joint, such as bending the elbow.
• Eversion moves the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline.
• A body part closer to the midline is described as medial.
• A body part farther from the point of attachment is described as distal.
• Jumping jacks exemplify abduction with arms and legs moving outward.

Muscle Actions and Strength

• Static muscle action involves force generation without changing muscle length.
• Dynamic muscle action occurs when the muscle changes length while generating force, such as a bicep curl.
• Eccentric muscle action occurs when the muscle lengthens while contracting, like during the downward motion of a squat.
• Muscle cross-sectional area and joint angle influence a muscle's force generation.
• Absolute strength refers to total force output.
• Relative strength refers to force output in relation to body weight.
• Isokinetic muscle actions occur at a constant speed, regardless of the force applied.
• Power-focused athletes focus on generating maximum force over time.
• Maximal strength and muscular endurance has no relationship.
• Muscular endurance is primarily associated with exerting submaximal force repeatedly over time.