Body Movement – Different Types of Body Movements

Types of Body Movement refer to the change in position of a body part concerning the other parts of the body. These can be voluntary or involuntary. Examples of common body movements include, blinking of eyes, rotation of the hand, movement of jaw while chewing, and rising of the There are different types of body movement exhibited by organisms. In this article, we will learn about types of body movements, joints, locomotion, and much more.

Types of Body Movements

There are different types of body movements in the human body. All these movements occur through different patterns and are discussed below.

Flexion – Extension Body Movement

Flexion refers to a movement that decreases the angle between two body parts whereas extension is the opposite of flexion. It is a movement that increases the angle between two body parts or straightens a joint. Bending of elbow exhibits flexion and straightening of the elbow exhibits extension.

Abduction – Adduction Body Movement

Abduction refers to the movement of a body part away from the body’s midline or a reference point whereas adduction is the opposite of abduction. It involves the movement of a body part toward the body’s midline or a reference point. Raising your arm out to the side (away from the body) is an example of abduction at the shoulder joint whereas bringing down the arms towards the body shows adduction at the shoulder joint.

Circumduction Body Movement

Circumduction is a type of joint movement that involves the circular or conical motion of a body part. It is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, resulting in a circular or 360-degree movement. Circumduction is often observed in joints that allow a wide range of motion, such as ball-and-socket joints. When arm rotation is performed the shoulder joint exhibits circumduction.

Elevation – Depression Body Movement

Elevation body movement refers to the movement of a body part in an upward or superior direction whereas depression is the opposite of elevation; it involves the movement of a body part in a downward or inferior direction. For example, when we lift our shoulders toward the ears the movement exhibited by shoulder is elevation whereas when we move it back to the normal position, the movement exhibited is depression.

Rotation refers to the turning or revolving of a body part on its axis. Specifically along the vertebral column. An example of rotation movement is turning of the head.

Medial rotation – Lateral rotation Body Movement

Medial rotation is also called internal rotation. It involves the movement of a body part toward the midline or axis of the body whereas lateral rotation, also known as external rotation, involves the movement of a body part away from the midline or axis of the body.

Superior Rotation -Inferior Rotation Body Movement

Superior rotation refers to a movement where a body part or structure rotates in an upward direction whereas inferior rotation is the opposite of superior rotation. It involves a movement where a body part or structure rotates in a downward direction. For example, when you lift your shoulder blades or scapulae upward, it is considered superior rotation and when you move your shoulder to normal position the movement at scapulae is inferior rotation.

Dorsiflexion – Plantar Flexion Body Movement

Dorsiflexion is the movement that brings the top surface of the foot toward the front portion of leg. On the other hand, plantarflexion is the movement that points the sole of the foot downward, away from the front side of the leg. Lifting the toes toward the leg, as in taking a step or walking uphill, involves dorsiflexion. Pointing the toes, as in standing on tiptoes or pushing the gas pedal in a car, involves plantarflexion.

Pronation – Supination Body Movement

Pronation and supination have a general reference to prone or supine positions. However, they are often used in the context of describing the rotation of the forearm or foot. In case of the forearm, pronation involves the rotation of the radius bone medially relative to the ulna. The palm faces backward in the pronated position whereas supination is the opposite of pronation and involves the rotation of the radius bone laterally relative to the ulna. The palm faces forward in the supinated position.

Inversion – Eversion Body Movement

Inversion refers to the movement of the sole of the foot inward, toward the midline of the body whereas, eversion is the opposite of inversion. It involves the movement of the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline of the body. For example, if we tilt the sole of our foot toward the midline of our body, we are performing inversion and when we tilt it away from the midline, we perform eversion.

Protraction – Retraction Body Movement

Protraction involves the forward movement or extension of a body part from its usual position whereas retraction is the opposite of protraction that involves the backward movement or pulling back of a body part to its usual position. Moving the lower jaw forward is an example of mandible protraction while pulling back the lower jaw to its normal position is an example of retraction.

Opposition – Reposition Body Movement

Opposition and reposition are terms used to describe movements involving the thumb, particularly in relation to the other digits of the hand. Opposition is the movement that brings the thumb in contact with the tips of the other fingers, allowing for precise and coordinated grasping or manipulation of objects while reposition is the opposite movement, returning the thumb to its original position away from the other fingers.

Excursion Body Movement

Excursion is the body movement that usually refers to side wise movement of the jaw bones. When the jaw moves away from the midline then it is called lateral excursion whereas when the jaw moves to it median position, it is called medial excursion.

Types of Joints in the Body

The types of joints and their function in human bodies are listed below:

Name of the Joint	Description	Function
Fibrous Joint	Connected by dense, fibrous connective tissue	Provides stability and limited movement; found in skull sutures
Cartilaginous joint	Connected by cartilage, allowing slight movement	Offers more flexibility than fibrous joints; found in pubic symphysis
Ball and Socket Joint	Spherical head of one bone fits into a socket of another bone.	Provides a wide range of motion, allowing rotation and movement in multiple directions.
Hinge Joint	Convex surface of one bone fits into the concave surface of another.	Allows movement in one plane, like the bending and straightening of a limb.
Condyloid joint	Oval-shaped condyle of one bone fits into an elliptical cavity of another bone.	Permits movement in two planes, like flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
Gliding Joint	Flat or slightly curved surfaces of bones slide against each other.	Allows limited gliding or sliding movements between adjacent bones.
Saddle joint	Concave and convex surfaces resemble a saddle.	Allows a variety of movements, similar to condyloid joints, but with more stability.
Pivot Joint	Allows rotation around a single axis.	Enables rotational movement, such as the turning of the head.

What is Locomotion?

Locomotion refers to the ability of an organism to move from one place to another. It is directional movement that enables organisms to move from one location to another. The mechanisms of locomotion vary widely across different species and can include walking, running, swimming, flying, crawling, hopping, and more.

Body Movement in other Animals

Body movement is not specific to humans. Other animals also exhibit movemements. Some of these are discussed further.

Body Movement in Earthworm

Earthworms, like other annelids, exhibit distinctive body movements that are essential for their various biological functions, including locomotion, feeding, and reproduction. They move by contracting and relaxing their longitudinal and circular muscles, allowing them to stretch and contract their bodies. Such movement is called peristaltic movement.

Body Movement in Snail

Snails move using a muscular foot, which they contract and relax to create waves of muscular movement. This foot secretes mucus, which reduces friction and aids in their locomotion. They can also glide using a combination of muscular contraction and mucus secretion.

Body Movement in Cockroach

Cockroaches move rapidly using their six legs and can fly with their two pairs of wings. They can run, climb, and maneuver through various surfaces.

Body Movement in Fish

Fish swim primarily by flexing their bodies in a side-to-side motion, known as undulatory locomotion. They use their fins to stabilize and steer, while the body movement propels them forward through the water. Some fish, like eels, can also move in a snake-like manner by undulating their bodies.

Body Movement in Birds

Birds have various methods of locomotion depending on the species. They have wings and feet for locomotion. They generally move by walking, hopping, flying, or swimming. Other movemnt shown by them is rotation of the head and jaw movements.

Amoeboid Movements

Amoeboid movement involves the extension of pseudopodia (temporary “false feet”) in the direction of movement. It is the characteristic movement seen seen in amoeba and amoeboid white blood cells. During this type of movement the cytoplasm of the cell flows to one direction causing the cell membrane to extend and develop pseudopodia that sticks to the surface and pulls rest of the cell body. In this manner the cell gradually progresses towards required direction.

Conclusion – Types of Body Movement

Body movement refers to a change in position of a body part with reference to other body parts. These body movements are facilitated by the contraction and relaxation of muscles working in coordination with bones and joints. Depending on the change in position or pattern of change of the referred body part, they can be categorized into different types of body movements, including flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, rotation, supination and pronation, circumduction, excursion, etc.

FAQs – Types of Body Movement

What are the Types of Body Movement.

Flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, rotation, pronation and supination, excursion, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, Opposition, elevation, depression.

Give an Example of Pronation and Supination?

An example of pronation is when we hold a bowl of soup, and our palm faces downward to prevent spills. On the other hand, supination occurs when you turn your hand upward to hold a cup of coffee with the palm facing upward for easy sipping.

What helps in Body Movement?

Body movement is facilitated by the coordinated action of muscles, joints, and the nervous system.

What is Hyperextension?

Hyperextension refers to the excessive extension or straightening of a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

How does Locomotion Varies from Body Movement?

Locomotion involves the active displacement of an organism from one place to another. Whereas body movement is a broader term that includes any change in the position or orientation of body parts, irrespective of the organism’s overall change in location.

What are the 6 Types of Anatomical Movements?

Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction, External Rotation and Internal Rotation

What is Body Movement?

Movement means when different parts of your body change position. For example, when your eyes blink, when you breathe in and out, or when you eat.