Chapter 2
Anatomical Reference Position
Kinematic Concepts
for
Analyzing Human Motion
• erect standing position with all body parts facing
forward
• considered the starting point for all body segment
movements
Directional Terms
Directional Terms
• superior: closer to the head
• medial: toward the midline of the body
• inferior: farther away from the head
• lateral: away form the midline of the body
• anterior: toward the front of the body
• proximal: closer to the trunk
• posterior: toward the back
• distal: away from the trunk
Directional Terms
Reference Planes
• Superficial: towards the
surface of the body
Deep: away from the surface
of the body
• sagittal plane - in which forward and backward movements
occur
• frontal plane - in which lateral movements occur
• transverse plane - in which rotational movements occur
1
Saggital Plane
Saggital Plane Movements
Flexion
Extension
Dorsiflexion
Frontal Plane
Hyperextension
Plantar flexion
What movements occur in the
frontal plane?
Radial
deviation
Abduction
Adduction
Transverse Plane
Lateral flexion
Depression
Elevation
Ulnar
deviation
Eversion
Inversion
Transverse Plane Movements
Horizontal
adduction
Medial
rotation
Lateral
rotation
Pronation Supination
Horizontal
abduction
2
Reference Axes
Mediolateral Axis
• mediolateral axis - around which rotations in
the sagittal plane occur
• anteroposterior axis - around which
rotations in the frontal plane occur
• longitudinal axis - around which rotational
movements occur
Anteroposterior Axis
Longitudinal Axis
Forms of Motion
Angular Motion
Linear motion: motion along a line
• Rectilinear motion: (along a straight
line)
• Curvilinear motion: (along a curved
line)
rotation around an axis
3
General Motion
Mechanical System
• a body or portion of a body that is
deliberately chosen by the analyst
combination of linear and angular motion
(includes most human motion)
Spatial Reference Systems
• useful for standardizing descriptions
of human motion
- throwing arm
- kicking leg
- trunk during a lift
- entire body during a vertical jump
Spatial Reference Systems
Y
• most commonly used is the Cartesian
coordinate system
• human body joint centers are labeled
with numerical x and y coordinates
Spatial Reference Systems
(x,y) = (3,7)
(0,0)
X
Cartesian coordinates of the hip
Qualitative Analysis:
Prerequisite Knowledge
y
x=y=+
x
(0,0)
x=y=-
• What is the purpose of the skill?
x=+
y=+
x=+
y=-
• What are the causes of performance errors?
• How can knowledge be gained?
• experience in performing the skill
• reading available literature
• attending conferences and workshops
Coordinates can be both positive and negative.
4
Qualitative Analysis:
Planning
• What is the question to be answered?
• From what perspective(s) should the movement
be viewed?
•Angle
Qualitative Analysis:
Planning
• What plans should be made for:
- performer attire
- lighting conditions
- background
•Viewing distance
- use of video
• How many observations should be taken?
Qualitative Analysis:
Conducting the Analysis
Identify
Question/Problem
Viewing Angle
Lab
• Identify the 3 reference planes and list 3
movements that primarily occur in each plane
Viewing Distance
Performer Attire
Refine Question
Make Decisions
Use of Video
End Analysis
Communicate
with Performer
Environmental
Modifications
Collect
Observations
Quiz
study key terms
Visual
Auditory
From Performer
Interpret Observations From Other Analysts
5