Types of Movement in Sport

Basic Movements in Sport

• Flexion and extension
• Abduction and adduction
• Rotation
• Circumduction
• Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion

These movement types are explored in greater detail in the topic The Structure & Functions of the Musculoskeletal System.

Examples of types of movement in sport

Push-ups

• A push-up consists of two phases:
  • Push-up Phase: The elbow joint extends to raise the body in an extension movement.
  • Lowering Phase: The elbow joint flexes to return the body to the starting position.

Push-up Movement Diagram

Football Throw-in

• When performing a throw-in, the player grips the ball with both hands, positioning it behind their head.
• The ball is then released from behind and over the head using both hands, involving elbow joint extension.

Football Throw-in Movement Diagram

Running

Running involves movements at the hip, knee, and ankle joints.

• During the drive phase, when the foot strikes the ground, the performer propels forward:
  • The knee joint extends.
  • The hip undergoes extension.
  • The ankle joint performs plantar flexion.
• The recovery phase follows, where the leg swings forward for the next stride:
  • The knee joint flexes.
  • The hip flexes.
  • The ankle joint moves into dorsiflexion.

One leg is in the drive phase while the other is in the recovery phase.

Running Movement Diagram

Kicking

• Kicking mirrors the drive phase of running.
• The leg swings backward to prepare, then swings forward, straightening as the foot strikes the ball:
  • The knee joint transitions from flexion to extension.
  • The hip is in flexion.
  • The ankle joint remains in plantar flexion throughout.

Kicking Movement Diagram

Standing Vertical Jumps

• In a standing vertical jump, the performer starts with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent.
• They then launch upward through the hips, knees, and ankles:
  • The hip extends.
  • The knee joints extend.
  • The ankle joints perform plantar flexion.

Standing Vertical Jump Movement Diagram

Star Jumps

For a star jump, the performer begins with feet together and arms at their sides.

• They jump vertically, spreading their legs and arms outward to form a star shape:
  • Abduction occurs at the shoulder as the arms and legs move away from the body.
• Upon landing, the arms return to the sides, and the legs come together:
  • Adduction occurs at the shoulder as the arms and legs move toward the body.

Star Jump Movement Diagram

Squats

• In a squat, the performer stands with feet shoulder-width apart, involving a downward and upward phase.
• There is a downward and an upward phase
  • The downward phase begins by bending at the hips and knees simultaneously to lower the body until the thighs are at least parallel to the ground:
    • The hips flex.
    • The knee joints flex.
    • The ankle joints exhibit slight dorsiflexion.
  • In the upward phase, the performer pushes back up through the heels and midfoot to the starting position:
    • The hips extend.
    • The knee joints extend.
    • The ankle joints show slight plantar flexion.

Squat Movement Diagram

Cricket Bowling

In cricket, the bowler approaches the crease, swinging their dominant arm backward and then forward in a circular motion:

• The shoulder joint undergoes rotation.
• Extension occurs at the shoulder joint.
• Circumduction takes place at the shoulder as the arm traces a circular path.

Cricket Bowling Movement Diagram

Swimming Front Crawl

• In the front crawl, the swimmer lies face down in a streamlined position in the water.
• The stroke begins as one arm extends forward into the water, then pulls back in a sweeping motion for propulsion:
  • The elbow flexes as the arm bends upward.
  • The elbow extends as the arm reaches forward.
  • Abduction occurs at the shoulder as the arm sweeps away from the body.
  • Adduction occurs at the shoulder as the arm pulls back toward the body.
  • Circumduction at the shoulder allows the arm to move in a circular pattern.

Front Crawl Swimming Movement Diagram