2. Movement
• "Movement is the act of changing the position
of the body or a body part.“
Importance in kinesiology:
• Basis of function
• Essential for rehabilitation, strength building,
and daily living
3. Types of Movements
A. Voluntary vs Involuntary Movements
• Voluntary: Movements under conscious control (e.g., walking, reaching)
• Involuntary: Movements not under conscious control (e.g., heartbeat,
reflexes)
B. Types Based on Direction and Nature
• Flexion: Bending movement decreasing angle between two parts
• Extension: Straightening movement increasing angle
• Abduction: Movement away from the midline
• Adduction: Movement toward the midline
• Rotation: Movement around an axis
• Circumduction: Circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction,
adduction
4. C. Accessory Movements (Component & Joint Play)
Component Movements: Accompany active motion but not under voluntary control
Joint Play Movements: Movements between joint surfaces (like gliding)
Component movement:
Movement Example
Shoulder Flexion Slight upward rotation of the scapula
Knee Extension
Slight anterior glide of the tibia on the
femur
Hip Flexion Slight posterior tilt of the pelvis
5. Movement Example
Glide (Slide)
Tibia gliding on femur during knee
movement
Roll Humeral head rolling on glenoid cavity
during shoulder abduction
Spin
Radial head spinning against the
capitulum during forearm supination
Traction (Distraction)
Pulling humerus away from glenoid cavity
(used in therapy to relieve stiffness)
Compression
Approximation of joint surfaces, like in
weight-bearing activities (e.g., standing
compresses the hip joints)
2. Joint Play Movements
(Movements that occur between joint surfaces — cannot be done actively by the patient)
6. Active and Passive Movements
• Movements performed by the individual's own muscles.
These involve voluntary contraction of muscles
Key Points
• Controlled by the central nervous system (CNS).
• Require conscious effort.
• Help maintain or improve muscle strength, joint mobility,
and coordination.
• Often used in rehabilitation to encourage muscle activity.
7. Types of Active Movements
– Active Free Movements:
• Performed without any external assistance or resistance.
• Example: Flexing the elbow without help.
– Active Assisted Movements:
• Partially performed by the patient, assisted either manually (by therapist) or mechanically
(by equipment).
• Example: Patient moving the arm up while therapist provides slight support.
– Active Resisted Movements:
• Movements performed against a resistance (manual, elastic band, or weight).
• Example: Biceps curl against dumbbell.
• Examples:
– Raising your arm overhead (shoulder flexion)
– Bending your knee while walking
– Rotating your neck side to side
8. Passive Movements
• Movements performed on the individual by an external force (therapist,
caregiver, or machine), without muscular effort by the patient.
Key Points
• No voluntary muscle contraction involved.
• Entirely dependent on external assistance.
• Aimed at maintaining joint flexibility, preventing contractures, and
improving circulation.
• Particularly useful in paralyzed, unconscious, post-operative, or weak
patients.
• Characteristics:
• Smooth, rhythmic, controlled movements.
• Should not cause pain.
• Therapist supports the joint properly to avoid injury.
9. Types of Passive Movements
– Relaxed Passive Movements:
• The therapist moves the joint through a full range without patient effort.
– Forced Passive Movements (less commonly used):
• The therapist applies pressure to extend the range (only in very special
cases and with caution).
• Examples:
– Therapist bending and straightening a patient’s knee while they
lie relaxed.
– Moving a stroke patient's arm to prevent stiffness.
– Using a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine after knee
replacement surgery.
10. Types of Muscle Contractions
• Isometric: Muscle length does not change
(e.g., wall sit)
• Isotonic:
– Concentric: Muscle shortens during contraction
(e.g., lifting weight)
– Eccentric: Muscle lengthens while contracting
(e.g., lowering weight)
• Isokinetic: Muscle changes length at constant
speed (usually with machines)
11. Free Exercises
• Free exercises are movements performed
without external resistance, using only the
body’s own weight as the force.
• They can be done actively by the patient
alone, or assisted if needed.
12. . Classification of Free Exercises
A. By Type of Muscle Work
• Isotonic Exercises
– Muscle changes length (shortening or lengthening) while
producing movement.
– Example: Lifting the arm overhead (muscle shortens),
lowering it (muscle lengthens).
• Isometric Exercises
– Muscle contracts without changing length; no visible
movement occurs.
– Example: Pressing palms together firmly without moving.
13. Cont….
B. By Purpose of Exercise
• Mobilizing Exercises
– Aim to produce movement at a joint.
– Develops range of motion and joint flexibility.
– Usually performed at a moderate to fast speed.
• Stabilizing Exercises
– Aim to improve stability and control at a joint.
– Strengthen muscles to hold or fix a body part steady.
– Often involve slower, controlled movements or isometric
holds.
14. Cont….
C. By Part of Body Involved
• Localized Exercises
– Target a specific muscle group or joint.
– Example: Biceps curl focuses on the elbow flexors.
• General Exercises
– Involve several parts of the body together.
– Example: Full-body movements like squats, trunk
rotations.
15. Techniques of Performing Free Exercises
Steps Techniques
1 Correct Starting Position: Ensure posture is proper (e.g.,
standing, sitting, lying) before starting.
2 Smooth and Controlled Movements: Avoid jerky or rushed
motions. Maintain rhythm.
3 Full Range of Motion (ROM): Move joints through their full
available range unless contraindicated.
4 Breathing: Inhale before starting, exhale during effort. Avoid
breath-holding (prevents strain).
5
Symmetry: Ensure both sides of the body are worked equally
(especially in rehab).
6 Progression: Start with simple movements, then increase
complexity or repetitions gradually.
7 Alignment and Stability: Keep joints aligned properly to prevent
injury. Engage core for stability.
16. Examples of Free Exercises
Exercise Purpose
Arm swings Mobilizing shoulder joint
Trunk rotations Mobilizing spine
Static quads (quad setting) Isometric exercise to stabilize knee
Heel slides
Mobilizing hip and knee joints
Proper technique, control, and purpose-based selection of free
exercises are crucial for effective rehabilitation and fitness.
17. Assisted Exercises
• Movements performed partly by the patient and
partly by an external force (therapist, equipment, or
gravity
Goal:
• To help muscles that are weak, paralyzed, painful, or
stiff.
• To encourage correct movement pattern when full
active movement is not yet possible.
• To bridge the gap between passive and fully active
movement.
18. Techniques of Assisted Exercises
Steps Techniques
1 Correct Starting Position: Support the body part fully. Good alignment reduces strain.
2 Explain and Encourage: Patient should attempt to move actively as much as possible.
3
Minimal Assistance: Only assist the movement as much as needed. Gradually reduce
help over time.
4
Direction and Control: Therapist should guide the limb along the correct anatomical
path.
5 Smooth, Rhythmic Movements: Avoid sudden jerks or forcing the movement.
6
Use of Hands: One hand supports and guides; the other may assist the movement or
stabilize proximal joints.
7 Breathing Control: Instruct patient to breathe normally and not to hold breath.
8
Gradual Progression: As strength improves, reduce assistance until patient performs
movement independently.
19. Effects of Assisted Exercises
Effects Explanation
🔹 Maintains or Improves Range of Motion Helps move joints through available
range, preventing stiffness.
🔹 Stimulates Muscle Activity Encourages even weak muscles to
contract and participate.
🔹 Promotes Neuro-Muscular Re-
education
Retrains the brain and body to coordinate
movements correctly.
🔹 Enhances Circulation
Muscle activity and joint motion aid blood
flow, preventing complications.
🔹 Boosts Confidence
Early movement helps psychologically;
patient feels capable of movement.
🔹 Reduces Pain and Spasm Gentle assisted movements can relax
muscles and ease joint stiffness
20. Important Note
The therapist’s skill lies in knowing how much
assistance to provide — not too much to make
patient passive, and not too little to make
movement impossible
