Movement Analysis: Joint Actions and Joint Types
A joint action is the specific movement that happens at a joint, such as flexion (decreasing the angle at a joint, bending a limb) or extension (increasing the angle at a joint, straightening a limb).
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn the core joint actions and their precise definitions: flexion (decreasing joint angle), extension (increasing joint angle), abduction (away from the midline), adduction (towards the midline), rotation (turning around the bone's length), plantarflexion and dorsiflexion (at the ankle only).
- Learn the three joint types tested and what movement each allows: hinge (flexion/extension only, e.g. elbow, knee), ball-and-socket (movement in all directions, e.g. shoulder, hip), pivot (rotation only, e.g. top of the neck).
- For any joint, first identify its type, since this tells you which joint actions are even possible there before you try to name the specific one occurring.
- When analysing a movement, name the joint, then the joint type, then the specific joint action - all three, since a question asking to 'analyse' or 'describe' usually credits each separately.
- Be precise with flexion and extension: they describe a change in the angle at a joint, so always state whether the angle is decreasing (flexion) or increasing (extension), not just 'bending' or 'straightening'.
- For an extended question comparing joint actions across a sequence of movement (e.g. the downswing then follow-through of a golf shot), track how the joint action at a named joint changes from one phase of the movement to the next.
Worked example
A footballer performs a knee flexion followed by a knee extension as they kick a ball. Explain what is happening at the knee joint during each phase, and state the joint type of the knee.
- Identify the joint type: the knee is a hinge joint, so it allows movement in one plane only, flexion and extension.
- Describe the first phase, flexion: as the kicking leg swings back before striking the ball, the angle at the knee decreases as the lower leg is drawn up towards the back of the thigh - this is knee flexion.
- Describe the second phase, extension: as the leg swings forward to strike the ball, the angle at the knee increases as the lower leg straightens rapidly - this is knee extension.
- State the final answer: the knee, a hinge joint, moves from flexion during the backswing to extension as the leg drives forward to make contact with the ball.
Practice questions
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Q1Define flexion.Show answer
Answer: A decrease in the angle at a joint, e.g. bending the elbow.
Q2Define extension.Show answer
Answer: An increase in the angle at a joint, e.g. straightening the elbow.
Q3Define abduction.Show answer
Answer: Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
Q4Define adduction.Show answer
Answer: Movement of a limb towards the midline of the body.
Q5Name the joint type of the elbow, and state what movement it allows.Show answer
Answer: A hinge joint, which allows flexion and extension only.
Q6Name the joint type of the shoulder, and state what movement it allows.Show answer
Answer: A ball-and-socket joint, which allows movement in all directions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation.
Q7What joint action occurs at the ankle when a footballer points their toes to strike a ball?Show answer
Answer: Plantarflexion.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
State the joint type of the hip.
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During a star jump, the legs move apart and then back together. Name the two joint actions occurring at the hip, in the order they happen.
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Analyse the joint actions and joint types involved at the hip, knee and ankle during the leg drive phase of a sprint start, from the 'set' position to full leg extension.
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See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the movement analysis: joint actions and joint types worksheet pack - 11 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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