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Types 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.

Flexion - man performing a biceps curl with a dumbbell

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

Extension - man 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.

Abduction and adduction - woman performing a jumping jack or star jump

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.

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.

Rotation - man performing a shot in golf

Plantar flexion – pointing the toes – this movement only occurs at the ankle, for example, pointing the toes in ballet.

Plantar flexion - the toes are pointed in a ballet movement

Dorsiflexion – the foot moves towards the shin as if you are pulling your toes up. This movement only occurs at the ankle.

Dorsiflexion - the toes are pulled up in a stretch

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

Type of jointBody locationTypes of movement
Ball and socketHip, shoulderFlexion/extension, rotation, abduction, adduction, circumduction
HingeKnee, elbowFlexion/extension
Type of jointBall and socket
Body locationHip, shoulder
Types of movementFlexion/extension, rotation, abduction, adduction, circumduction
Type of jointHinge
Body locationKnee, elbow
Types of movementFlexion/extension