GradeGen

A movement that increases the angle at a joint, such as straightening the elbow or knee.

A movement that increases the angle between the bones at a joint, usually straightening a bent limb.

Both allow flexion and extension. At the shoulder, you also need to recognise abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction.

A movement that increases the angle at a joint, such as straightening the knee.

A straightening movement that increases the angle between the bones at a joint.

Like a door hinge, they mainly allow bending and straightening: flexion and extension. The shoulder and hip are ball-and-socket joints, where a rounded bone head fits into a socket. This arrangement allows movement in several directions, including all six movements explored below.

Name the joint as well as the movement: for example, ‘extension at the knee’, not just ‘extension’.

Identify the phase of the sporting action. Lowering in a push-up involves elbow flexion; pushing upwards involves elbow extension.

Name the movement as well as the sport: for example, elbow extension during a football throw-in, rather than just ‘football’.