Anatomy

Concentric contraction – muscles perform by getting shorter

Eccentric contraction – muscles perform while getting longer

Isometric contraction – muscles performs while staying the same length (tense up to stabilize)

Subtalar joint in the ankle connects the talus (bone below the shin bone) with the calcaneus (heel bone) and is responsible for foot rotation – allows inversion-eversion movements

Inversion – inward rotation of the foot

Eversion – outward rotation of the foot

Talocrural (hinge-type) joint in the ankle connects the tibia and fibula to the talus and is responsible for flexion and extension of the ankle

Dorsiflexion – movement of the toes towards the shin

Plantar flexion – movement of the toes away from the shin

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) stabilizes the (inside) side of the knee

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) stabilizes the outer side of the knee

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur. The knee ligament that connects the femur (thigh bone) with the tibia (shin bone).

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents backward movement of the tibia on the femur

Patella ligament connects the patella (knee cap) to the tibia

Abductors: the outer thigh muscles that act to separate the thighs

Adductors: the inner thigh muscles that act to pull the legs together

Pronation: ankles roll inwards (big toe pressure)

Supination: ankles roll outwards (little toe pressure)

Hip joint is a ball and socket joint allowing movement in all directions:

• Flexion/extension of the femur – lifting/lowering
• Abduction/adduction – opening/closing
• Medial/lateral – inward/outward

Spine comprises 33 separate bones and allows 3 types of movement: flexion/extension, lateral flexion, and rotation