1. Exercise Science Section 1: The Anatomical Position
An Introduction to Health and Physical Education
Ted Temertzoglou Paul Challen
ISBN

2. The Anatomical Position
Anatomical position: Anatomists and physiologists view the human body in this standard starting point
Body in an upright standing position
Face and feet pointing forward
Arms at side and forearms fully supinated (palms facing forward)

3. Anatomical Planes
Anatomical Planes relate to positions in space and are at right angles to one another:
Transverse plane:
Divides the body into superior and inferior segments
Sometimes referred to as a cross-sectional view
Sagittal plane:
Divides the body into right and left segments can be (millions of sagittal planes are possible)
Mid-sagittal plane – divides the body into two perfect halves at the mid-line
Frontal (coronal) plane:
Divides the body into anterior and posterior segments

4. Anatomical Axes
Anatomical Axes are used to describe the direction of movement at joints:
Longitudinal (polar) axis:
In a “north-south” relationship to the anatomical position
Horizontal (bilateral) axis:
In an “east-west” relationship to the anatomical position
Antero-posterior axis:
In a “front-to-back” relationship to the anatomical position

5. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Flexion - Extension
Flexion: decreasing the angle between two bones
Extension: increasing the angle between two bones

6. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Abduction – Adduction – Lateral Flexion
Abduction: moving away from the midline
Adduction: moving towards the midline
Lateral Flexion: moving the spine or neck away from the midline (also sometimes called abduction)

7. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Rotation - Internal Rotation - External Rotation
Internal rotation: rotating inward towards the midline (also called medial rotation)
External rotation: rotating outward away from the midline (also called lateral rotation)
Rotation: moving a part around an axis

8. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Circumduction
Circumduction: circular motion (combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction)

9. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Supination - Pronation
Supination: lateral rotation of the hand and forearm
Pronation: medial rotation of the hand and forearm

10. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Protraction - Retraction
Protraction: moving in a forward (anterior) position
Retraction: moving in a backward (posterior) position

11. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Dorsiflexion - Plantar Flexion
Dorsiflexion: pointing the foot upward
Plantar flexion: pointing the foot downward

12. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Opposition and Reposition
Opposition: moving thumb toward the fingers
Reposition: returning thumb back to anatomical position

13. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Depression - Elevation
Depression: lowering a part
Elevation: raising a part

14. Basic Movements Involving a Joint Inversion - Eversion
Inversion: moving the sole of the foot toward the median plane
Eversion: moving the sole of the foot away from the median plane
Inversion

15. In terms of RUNNING:
Some salespeople will refer to the “gait” or running pattern using the following terms:
Pronation = dorsiflexion + abduction + eversion Supination = plantarflexion + adduction + inversion

16. Describing Position and Movement
Anterior: front surface of the body
Posterior: back surface of the body
Superior: refers to structures being closer to the top of the body (excluding limbs)
Inferior: refers to structures being closer to the lower part of the body (excluding limbs)
Medial: towards the midline or mid-sagittal
Lateral: away from the midline or mid-sagittal
Proximal: towards the upper segment of a limb
Distal: towards the lower segment of a limb

17. Other Terms: (these aren’t in your workbook!)
Deep - away from the surface/further into the body
Superficial – on the surface or shallow
Supine – lying with the back surface downward (face-up)
Prone – with the front surface downward (face-down)

18. Relationship Between Axes and Planes
Axis of Rotation
Plane of Motion
Example
Horizontal (Bilateral)
Sagittal
Flexion/Extension
Longitudinal (Polar)
Transverse
Rotation of extremities/Axial rotation
Antero-Posterior
Frontal
Abduction/Adduction

19. Finding Axes and Planes
Axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the plane of movement
In the anatomical position: all flexion/extension occurs in the sagittal plane, all abduction/adduction occurs in the frontal plane, and all rotation occurs in the transverse plane
More involved movements usually occur as a combination of motions from more than one plane
Longitudinal Axis
90o
Transverse Plane

20. Twirling What is the axis of rotation? Longitudinal/Polar axis
What is the plane of motion?
Longitudinal/Polar axis
Transverse plane

21. Various Planes of Movement
AXIS
PLANE
Stride Jump
Side Bend
Elbow extension
Nodding head “yes”
Twirling
Shaking head “no”

22. Various Planes of Movement
AXIS
PLANE
Stride Jump
Antero-Posterior
Frontal
Side Bend
Elbow extension
Horizontal
Sagittal
Nodding head “yes”
Twirling
Longitudinal/Polar
Transverse
Shaking head “no”

23. Read chapter 1 and complete the following pages in your workbook for tomorrow: