GPK UPPERTONE - Manual (Page 4)

4
The Major Muscle Groups
Anterior Muscles Posterior Muscles
Definitions of Terms Used to Describe Muscle Function
Term Meaning/Definition
Abduction Moving a body part away from the center of the body (e.g., rotating a
stretched arm from the front to the side)
Adduction Moving a body part toward the center of the body (e.g., moving a stretched
arm from the side to the front)
Extension, Extend Move a body part so as to straighten it or increase the angle between the
bending parts (e.g., moving the palm away from the wrist)
Flexion, Flex Moving a body part so as to bend it (e.g. bending the wrist), or decrease
the angle between the bending parts
Horizontal abduction Moving the shoulder joint towards the body’s back while the arm is
parallel to the ground
Horizontal adduction Moving the shoulder joint toward the body’s front while the arm is parallel
to the ground
Pronate Rotating the forearm inward or turning the palm face down.
Rotation Moving a body part around its own axis
Scapular upward rotation Moving the shoulder joint so it is pointing more upwards
Scapular downward rotation Moving the shoulder joint so it is pointing more downwards
Supinate Rotating the forearm outward or turning the palm face up.