Movements at Joints

This lesson covers the types of movement at joints required by the OCR GCSE PE specification (J587). You need to know six types of movement: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and circumduction. You must be able to define each one, identify which joints allow each movement, and link them to specific sporting examples.

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The Six Movements

The OCR specification requires you to know the following movements:

graph TD
    A["Movements at Joints"] --> B["Flexion"]
    A --> C["Extension"]
    A --> D["Abduction"]
    A --> E["Adduction"]
    A --> F["Rotation"]
    A --> G["Circumduction"]

    style A fill:#4a90d9,color:#fff
    style B fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style C fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style D fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style E fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style F fill:#e67e22,color:#fff
    style G fill:#e67e22,color:#fff

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1. Flexion

Flexion is the decrease in the angle at a joint. It is a bending movement that brings two body parts closer together.

Feature	Detail
Definition	Decrease in the angle at a joint
Simple description	Bending
Joints	Shoulder, elbow, hip, knee

Sporting Examples

• Bicep curl — flexion at the elbow when lifting the weight upwards (the angle between the humerus and radius/ulna decreases).
• Kicking a football (preparation) — flexion at the knee as the lower leg draws back before the kick.
• Performing a tuck in trampolining — flexion at the hip and knee as the body folds inward.
• Receiving a pass in basketball — flexion at the elbow as the arms bend to cushion the ball.

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2. Extension

Extension is the increase in the angle at a joint. It is a straightening movement that moves two body parts away from each other.

Feature	Detail
Definition	Increase in the angle at a joint
Simple description	Straightening
Joints	Shoulder, elbow, hip, knee

Sporting Examples

• Kicking a football (striking phase) — extension at the knee as the lower leg swings forward to strike the ball.
• Performing a push-up (upward phase) — extension at the elbow as the arms straighten.
• Jumping (take-off) — extension at the knee and hip as the legs straighten to push the body upward.
• Bowling in cricket (follow-through) — extension at the elbow as the arm straightens on release.

Exam Tip: Flexion and extension always occur together as opposite movements. If a question asks about a kicking action, describe flexion during the backswing (preparation) and extension during the forward swing (execution). This shows you understand the full movement pattern.

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3. Abduction

Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

Feature	Detail
Definition	Movement away from the midline of the body
Simple description	Moving a limb outward / sideways
Joints	Shoulder, hip (ball-and-socket joints only)

Sporting Examples

• Star jump — abduction at the shoulder (arms moving outward) and hip (legs moving outward) simultaneously.
• Goalkeeping save — abduction at the shoulder as the arms reach out to the side to save a shot.
• Performing a cartwheel — abduction at the hip and shoulder as the limbs move outward.
• Side-stepping in basketball — abduction at the hip as the leg moves sideways.

Exam Tip: To remember abduction, think "ab" = away from the body. Abduction moves the limb away from the midline.

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4. Adduction

Adduction is the movement of a limb towards the midline of the body. It is the opposite of abduction.

Feature	Detail
Definition	Movement towards the midline of the body
Simple description	Moving a limb inward / back to the side
Joints	Shoulder, hip (ball-and-socket joints only)

Sporting Examples

• Completing a star jump (landing) — adduction at the shoulder and hip as the arms and legs return to the side of the body.
• Swimming breaststroke (pull phase) — adduction at the shoulder as the arms pull inward through the water.
• Crossing a football — adduction at the hip as the kicking leg sweeps across the body.
• Returning to standing from the splits — adduction at the hip as the legs move back together.

Exam Tip: To remember adduction, think "add" — you are adding the limb back to the body. Adduction moves the limb towards the midline.

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5. Rotation

Rotation is the circular movement of a bone around its own axis (its long axis). The limb turns inwards (internal/medial rotation) or outwards (external/lateral rotation) without moving away from its position.

Feature	Detail
Definition	Movement of a bone around its long axis
Simple description	Turning / twisting
Joints	Shoulder, hip (ball-and-socket joints only)

Sporting Examples

• Throwing a discus — rotation at the shoulder and hip as the body and arm twist during the throw.
• Golf swing — rotation at the hip and shoulder during the backswing and follow-through.
• Turning to look sideways — rotation of the vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine).
• Batting in cricket — rotation at the shoulder as the arms swing the bat through its arc.

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6. Circumduction

Circumduction is a circular, cone-shaped movement that combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction in a continuous sequence. The distal end (far end) of the limb traces a circle in the air while the proximal end (near end) remains relatively stationary.

Feature	Detail
Definition	A combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction in a circular motion
Simple description	Moving a limb in a full circle
Joints	Shoulder, hip (ball-and-socket joints only)

Sporting Examples

• Bowling in cricket — the bowling arm performs circumduction at the shoulder as it swings in a full circle.
• Swimming front crawl / backstroke — circumduction at the shoulder as the arms move through a complete circular arc.
• Windmill stretch — circumduction at the shoulder as the arm sweeps in a full circle.
• Throwing a discus (arm action) — circumduction at the shoulder during the release.

Exam Tip: Circumduction is NOT the same as rotation. Rotation is a bone turning on its own axis (like turning a door handle). Circumduction is the entire limb moving in a cone shape (like stirring a large pot). Do not confuse these two movements.

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Summary Table: Movements, Joints, and Sporting Examples

Movement	Definition	Joints	Sporting Example
Flexion	Decrease in angle at a joint	Shoulder, elbow, hip, knee	Bicep curl (elbow flexion)
Extension	Increase in angle at a joint	Shoulder, elbow, hip, knee	Kicking a football (knee extension)
Abduction	Movement away from the midline	Shoulder, hip	Star jump (arms and legs outward)
Adduction	Movement towards the midline	Shoulder, hip	Swimming breaststroke pull (arms inward)
Rotation	Circular movement around own axis	Shoulder, hip	Golf swing (hip and shoulder rotation)
Circumduction	Cone-shaped circular movement	Shoulder, hip	Bowling in cricket (arm circumduction)

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Which Movements Occur at Which Joints?