Types Of Movement In Human Body: Meaning: Concepts, Types

Types Of Movement In Human Body: Meaning: Concepts, Types

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 06:45 PM IST

The Human Body and its Movement explain how humans can move. This topic is from the chapter Locomotion and Movement of class 11 in Biology. It describes how the muscles, bones, and joints act together for a walk, run, and bend. This article is helpful for exams such as NEET and AIIMS BSc Nursing since it is the basic concept of how organisms move about and interact with their environment.

This Story also Contains
  1. Why is Movement Necessary?
  2. Human Body and Its Movement
  3. Different Types of Joints
  4. Disorders Affecting Movement
  5. Recommended Video on the Human Body and Its Movement
Types Of Movement In Human Body: Meaning: Concepts, Types
Types Of Movement In Human Body: Meaning: Concepts, Types

Why is Movement Necessary?

Movement is an essential property of all living organisms; it enables survival, interaction, and functioning. Biologically, movement can be described as the process whereby any part of the body, or the whole body, changes position, influenced by powerful muscle contractions through the action of the nervous system.

Human Body and Its Movement

The human body is amazing and can move in so many ways. So here are some key points about how our body moves:

  • Muscles pull on our bones and make us move. They help us move our arms and legs, too, by contracting in pairs.
  • Bones give our body shape. Joints are simply where bones meet. Joints such as knees and elbows help us bend and twist.
  • Our brain sends messages through nerves to control our muscles. This helps in moving smoothly and quickly.
  • Our body can know its space location. This allows us to balance and be aware of our arms and legs even though our eyes are closed.
  • This energy to move around is derived from the food we take in, which our body uses to make the muscles function and to keep them active for playing and working.

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Different Types of Joints

Joints are joining points for bones that form articulations moving in different ways styled by their construction and situating

Ball and Socket Joint

  • It allows rotational movement to occur in the shoulder and hip joints.

Hinge Joint

  • Allows the movement involving one plane, under the elbow and knee joints.

Pivot Joint

  • Allows rotational movement around a single axis. The atlantoaxial joint that occurs in the neck.

Gliding Joint

  • Allows bones to slide past one another, found in wrist and ankle joints.

Saddle Joint

  • Allows for angular movements similar to a hinge, but with more extremes; found in the thumb joint (carpometacarpal joint).

Diagram: Types Of Joints

Types of Joints

Disorders Affecting Movement

Many types of disorders can affect movement, thus decreasing quality of life.

  • Parkinson's Disease: The Brain cannot adequately control movement.

  • Arthritis: Inflammation of joints, causing pain and stiffness.

  • Muscle Dystrophy: A group of diseases causing progressive muscle weakness.

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Recommended Video on the Human Body and Its Movement


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the different types of movements one comes across in the human body?

Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle movements are expressed in the human body, each significant for variable functions and integrated by the nervous system.

2. How does flexion differ from extension?

Flexion decreases the angle between two body parts, such as bending the elbow, while extension increases it, straightening the arm.

3. What is the role of the nervous system in controlling movement?

The nervous system coordinates movement by sending signals from the brain to muscles via nerves to raise precise and coordinated actions.

4. What are common disorders that affect human movement?

Movement disorders include Parkinson's disease, arthritis, and muscular dystrophy. All of these diseases are related to different aspects of muscular and joint functionality.

5. How do joints facilitate movement?

Ball and socket, hinge, pivot, gliding, and saddle joints provide connections between bones and give way to a variety of movements, thereby offering mobility and flexibility.

6. What are the main types of joints in the human body?
The main types of joints in the human body are:
7. How does the skeletal system contribute to human movement?
The skeletal system provides a framework for movement by offering attachment points for muscles, protecting vital organs, and creating a system of levers. Bones act as rigid structures that muscles can pull on to create motion. Additionally, joints between bones allow for flexibility and a range of movements.
8. How do tendons and ligaments contribute to movement?
Tendons connect muscles to bones, transmitting the force generated by muscle contractions to move bones. Ligaments connect bones to other bones, providing stability to joints and limiting excessive movement. Together, they help maintain proper alignment and allow for controlled, efficient movement.
9. What is the function of synovial fluid in joints?
Synovial fluid serves several important functions in joints:
10. How does the body maintain balance during movement?
Balance during movement is maintained through:
11. How does aging affect human movement and locomotion?
Aging can impact movement in several ways:
12. How does the skeletal system adapt to different types of physical stress?
The skeletal system adapts to physical stress through a process called bone remodeling:
13. How does the musculoskeletal system adapt to regular exercise?
Regular exercise leads to several adaptations in the musculoskeletal system:
14. How does the body's center of gravity affect balance and movement?
The center of gravity (COG) is the point where the body's mass is evenly distributed. It affects balance and movement in several ways:
15. What is the role of fascia in movement and body mechanics?
Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs. Its roles in movement include:
16. What is locomotion in the human body?
Locomotion in the human body refers to the ability to move from one place to another. It involves the coordinated action of muscles, bones, and joints to produce movement. This process is essential for survival, allowing humans to perform various activities like walking, running, and climbing.
17. How do muscles work together to produce movement?
Muscles work in pairs or groups to produce movement. When one muscle (the agonist) contracts, its opposing muscle (the antagonist) relaxes. This coordinated action allows for smooth, controlled movements. For example, when you bend your elbow, the biceps contract while the triceps relax.
18. What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary movements?
Voluntary movements are consciously controlled actions, such as walking or waving. They involve the skeletal muscles and are initiated by the somatic nervous system. Involuntary movements, like breathing or heart beating, are automatic and controlled by the autonomic nervous system, often involving smooth muscles or cardiac muscle.
19. How does the nervous system control movement?
The nervous system controls movement through a complex process:
20. What is proprioception and why is it important for movement?
Proprioception is the body's ability to sense its position and movement in space. It's crucial for coordinated movement, balance, and spatial awareness. Proprioceptors in muscles, tendons, and joints provide constant feedback to the brain, allowing for precise control and adjustment of movements.
21. How do different types of muscle contractions contribute to everyday movements?
Different muscle contractions contribute to everyday movements:
22. What is the difference between gross motor skills and fine motor skills?
Gross motor skills and fine motor skills differ in scale and precision:
23. How does the stretch reflex contribute to movement and posture?
The stretch reflex is an automatic response that:
24. What is the role of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers in movement?
Fast-twitch muscle fibers contract quickly and powerfully but fatigue rapidly, making them ideal for short bursts of intense activity (e.g., sprinting). Slow-twitch fibers contract more slowly but can sustain activity for longer periods, making them crucial for endurance activities (e.g., long-distance running). The ratio of these fiber types influences an individual's athletic capabilities.
25. What is proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and how does it enhance movement?
PNF is a technique that enhances flexibility and range of motion by:
26. What is the role of the vestibular system in human movement?
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in balance and spatial orientation. It detects head position and movement, helping to maintain equilibrium and coordinate eye movements with head movements. This system is essential for activities like walking, running, and maintaining posture.
27. What is the difference between isotonic and isometric muscle contractions?
Isotonic contractions involve muscle shortening or lengthening while maintaining constant tension, resulting in visible movement (e.g., lifting weights). Isometric contractions occur when muscles generate force without changing length, such as holding a heavy object steady. Both types are important for different aspects of movement and strength.
28. How do different types of muscle fibers contribute to various movements?
Different muscle fiber types contribute to movements in distinct ways:
29. What is the role of the cerebellum in coordinating movement?
The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating movement by:
30. What is the difference between flexion and extension movements?
Flexion and extension are opposite movements:
31. How do ligaments and tendons differ in structure and function?
Ligaments and tendons have different structures and functions:
32. What is the role of motor units in muscle contraction?
A motor unit consists of a motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates. Motor units are the functional units of muscle contraction:
33. What is the difference between concentric and eccentric muscle contractions?
Concentric and eccentric contractions are two types of dynamic muscle actions:
34. How do different joint types allow for various ranges of motion?
Different joint types allow for specific ranges of motion:
35. How does the nervous system coordinate complex movements like walking?
The nervous system coordinates walking through:
36. What is the role of the Golgi tendon organ in movement regulation?
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) is a sensory receptor located in tendons that:
37. How does the principle of reciprocal inhibition facilitate smooth movement?
Reciprocal inhibition is a neurological process where:
38. What is kinesthetic awareness and how does it affect movement?
Kinesthetic awareness is the sense of body position and movement in space:
39. How do different types of muscle fibers respond to various forms of exercise?
Different muscle fiber types respond differently to exercise:
40. What is the role of the basal ganglia in movement control?
The basal ganglia, a group of subcortical nuclei, play crucial roles in movement:
41. How does the body maintain postural control during dynamic movements?
Postural control during dynamic movements involves:
42. What is the difference between open-chain and closed-chain kinetic exercises?
Open-chain and closed-chain exercises differ in how the body interacts with resistance:
43. How does muscle memory contribute to skill acquisition and movement efficiency?
Muscle memory, or motor learning, involves:
44. What is the role of the extrapyramidal system in movement control?
The extrapyramidal system, which

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