Skeletal system - WJECTypes of joint movement

The different types of movement that are permitted at each joint are described below.

Flexion – bending a joint. This occurs when the angle of a joint decreases. For example, the elbow flexes when performing a biceps curl.

Extension – straightening a joint. This occurs when the angle of a joint increases, for example, at the elbow when putting a shot.

Abduction – movement away from the midline of the body. This occurs at the hip and shoulder joints during a jumping jack movement.

Adduction – movement towards the midline of the body. This occurs at the hip and shoulder, returning the arms and legs back to their original position from a jumping jack movement.

Circumduction – this is where the limb moves in a circle. This occurs at the shoulder joint during an overarm tennis serve.

Rotation – this is where the limb moves in a circular movement around a fixed joint towards or away from the midline of the body. This occurs in the hip in golf while performing a drive shot.

The table summarises the body locations and types of movements associated with each type of joint.