Introduction to Kinesiology

Introduction to Kinesiology

• Kinesiology is the science of human movement
• It applies evidence-based research to improve human function, health, and wellness
• This research is used in all settings and populations

Kinesiology & Body Mechanics

• Kinesiology is the study of motion or human movement
• Anatomical kinesiology studies the musculoskeletal and musculotendinous systems
• Structural kinesiology studies how muscles function in movement
• Skeletal and muscular structures are involved in movement
• Bones have various sizes and shapes, affecting joint movement

Types of Muscle

• More than 600 muscles are found in the human body
• Muscles vary in size, shape, and structure throughout the body
• There are three types of muscle: cardiac, skeletal, and smooth

Who Needs Kinesiology?

• Anatomists, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers, nurses, physical educators, physical therapists, physicians, athletic trainers, massage therapists, and others in health-related fields need kinesiology

Why Kinesiology?

• Kinesiology requires a thorough understanding of large muscle groups to help others improve their strength and maintain body function
• Professionals should understand the "why" behind exercises, not just how to perform them, particularly in athletic conditioning and training
• Kinesiology allows physical educators to understand and improve physical conditioning through skill analysis

Biomechanics

• Mechanics is the branch of physics that analyzes how forces affect particles and mechanical systems
• Biomechanics is a specialization of mechanics used with living organisms (specifically humans)

Subdivisions of Biomechanics

• Statics - study of bodies at rest
• Dynamics - study of bodies in motion
• Kinematics - study of the description of motion, including space and time factors
• Osteokinematics - the gross movement of bones at joints (e.g., flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation)
• Kinetics - study of the action of forces
• Arthrokinematics - the small-scale movements at joint surfaces (e.g., roll, glide/slide, spin)

Reference Positions

• Anatomical position is a common, accurate reference point for describing joint movements
• A person is standing upright, with feet parallel and close together, and facing forward, with palms forward
• Fundamental position is similar to anatomical position, except the arms are at the side, and palms face the body.

Basic Terminologies

• Anterior - front
• Posterior - back
• Medial - middle
• Lateral - side
• Superior/Cephalad - above
• Inferior/Caudal - below
• Proximal - closer to the trunk/origin
• Distal - farther from the trunk/origin

Anatomical Directional Terminology

• Anterolateral, Posteromedial, Anteromedial, Posterosuperior, Anteroposterior are various combinations of other terminology

Anatomical directional terminology (other terms)

• Contralateral - opposite side
• Ipsilateral - same side
• Bilateral - both sides
• Inferior/Infra - below
• Superior/supra - above
• Deep - beneath the surface
• Superficial - near the surface

Anatomical directional terminology (additional terms)

• Caudal - below
• Cephalic - above
• Prone - face downwards
• Supine - face upwards
• Dorsal - back side of the body
• Ventral - front side of the body
• Palmar - relating to palm of the hand or sole of the foot
• Plantar - relating to sole or undersurface of the foot

Body Surface

• Various anatomical parts and regions in the body and their positions

Body Regions

• Axial - Cephalic (Head), Cranium & Face, Cervical (Neck), Thoracic (Thorax), Dorsal (Back), Abdominal (Abdomen), & Pelvic (Pelvis)
• Appendicular - Upper Limbs, Shoulder , arm, forearm, & manual, Lower Limbs, thigh, leg, & pedal

Skeletal System

• The adult skeleton has 206 bones, and 80 bones are part of the axial skeleton, while 126 bones belong to the appendicular skeleton
• Skeletal functions include protection, support, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell formation.

Types of Bones

• Long bones (e.g., humerus, femur, fibula)
• Short bones (e.g., carpals, tarsals)
• Flat bones (e.g., skull, sternum, scapulae)
• Irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae, pelvis, ethmoid, ear ossicles)
• Sesamoid bones (e.g., patella, pisiform)