05105 - Kinesiology (IM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student possesses the knowledge and the ability to understand the principles of kinesiology in relation to the basic gestures of human movement, the amplitude and quality of the excursion of the articular fulcrums, strength and muscle length.

Course contents

KINESIOLOGY definition

Joint movements. Planes and axes of motion, a review of the functional anatomy of bones, joints, and muscles. Classification of joints and the associated elements of diarthroses. Types of muscle activation, a brief overview of the principles of muscle kinetics. 

KINESIOLOGY OF LOWER LIMB

The coxofemoral joint

Anatomical and functional premises. Relationships between articular surfaces, the joint capsule, ligaments, and the role of the ligamentous system in movement. Joint movements. Transverse balance of the pelvis. Flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, internal and external rotation movements, and the muscles involved in performing these movements. Stability factors (load, intracapsular pressure, trabecular structure, ligaments and muscles, muscle course, and orientation of the femur).

The Knee

Anatomical and functional premises. Axes of motion. The knee joint complex. Local and global stability factors. Knee movements. Joint capsule. The menisci. Collateral ligaments. Anteroposterior and transverse stability. The cruciate ligaments and their mechanical role. Knee stability in rotation. Movements of the patella on the femur and in relation to the tibia. The muscles involved in knee extension, flexion, and rotation.

The ankle joint and the foot

Anatomical and functional background. Flexion-extension movements. The ankle capsule and ligaments. Anteroposterior and transverse stability and factors limiting movement. Physiology of the proximal and distal tibiofibular joints. Muscles involved in movement.


Anatomical and functional background and the need for locomotion. Joint spaces and the related capsular-ligamentous system. Biomechanical role of the talus as a weight-bearing bone. The role of the foot as a mobile adaptor for shock absorption and balance. Biomechanics of the plantar arch: the three arches, passive support structures, the role of the plantar fascia, and active muscular structures.

 

KINESIOLOGY OF THE SPINE

General information and anatomical-functional premises. Typical postural deviations. The spine as a whole, its structure. The typical vertebra, differences and characteristics of the segments constituting the spine. Functional unit, structure, and related joints. Elements of intervertebral connection. Physiology of flexion-extension movements, lateral inclination, and rotation of the spine. Paravertebral muscles.

The pelvic girdle

Anatomical and functional premises. Joints and the ligament system. Possible movements in relation to the joints.
The relationship of the pelvis with the spine and lower limbs. Factors stabilizing nutation. Muscles associated with the region.

The lumbar spine

The lumbar spine as a whole. The typical vertebra and characteristics of the lumbar spine. Kinesiology of flexion-extension, lateral bending, and rotation movements of the lumbar spine, and their relative amplitudes. The lumbosacral hinge, a point of spinal weakness. The lumbopelvic rhythm and its variations. The thoracolumbar fascia. The muscles involved in movement. Intra-abdominal pressure and an introduction to the concept of core stability.

The dorsal spine, the chest, the diaphragm and breathing

The dorsal spine and thorax as a whole. The typical dorsal vertebra and atypical vertebrae. The sternum and ribs. The costovertebral, sternocostal, and costotransverse joints. The ligamentous system between the rib cage and the ribs. Flexion-extension, lateral inclination, and axial rotation movements of the dorsal spine and related deformations of the rib cage and movements of the costovertebral joints. The muscles attached to the region.

The cervical spine

The cervical spine as a whole. The upper and lower cervical spine. The atlas, the axis and the cervical vertebra. The joints and ligament system of the cervical spine. The movements of flexion-extension, lateral inclination, rotation and protrusion and retraction of the upper cervical spine and the lower cervical spine. The concept of spinal coupling. Balance of the head on the cervical spine. The muscles involved in movements.

 

KINESIOLOGY OF UPPER LIMB

The Shoulder joint

Anatomical and functional background. Bony components of the shoulder girdle. The five-joint complex of the shoulder: true and false joints. The capsular-ligamentous system and passive containment factors. Kinematics and movements of the clavicle and scapula in different planes. Joint movements of the glenohumeral joint. The scapulohumeral rhythm and the mechanics of abduction and flexion phases. Proximal stabilizing muscles, rotator cuff muscles, and distal mobilizers involved in active stabilization and movement.

The elbow joint

Anatomical and functional characteristics and bony components (humerus, radius, and ulna) of the humeroulnar, humeroradial, and radioulnar joints. Analysis of muscle groups (flexors, extensors, pronators, and supinators), joint mechanical effectiveness, and hierarchical recruitment according to the law of parsimony.

The wrist and the hand

Anatomical and functional background and bony components. The wrist as the postural basis of the hand: the importance of the joint for function, stability, and orientation for grasping. The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and the capsular-ligamentous component. Muscle mechanics of the wrist: flexor, extensor, and deviorotator muscles, and the dependence of their strength on cross-sectional area and moment arm.


The functions of the hand: support, grasping, and manipulation. Bones and joints: carpometacarpal, trapezium-metacarpal (saddle), metacarpophalangeal (condylar), and interphalangeal (trochlear) joints. The pulley system for tendon glide and the dorsal extensor mechanism. The three functional arches: longitudinal, proximal transverse, and distal transverse. The muscles of the hand: extrinsic (superficial and deep flexors, common extensors) and intrinsic (thenar eminence, hypothenar, interosseous and lumbricals).

 

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Neumann D.A.: Kinesiology of muscoloskeletal system. Piccin 2019

Kapandji I.A.: Functional Anatomy. Monduzzi 2012

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work, case study solutions, classroom exercises.

 

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires all students to complete modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode and to participate in person (8 hours) in the third module of specific training on safety and health in study/internship places.

Assessment methods

At the end of the course, students who have attended at least 75% of the lessons will be admitted to the final exam, which will consist of an assessment of learning made up of the following components:

• 15 multiple-choice questions, each worth a maximum of 1 point

• 3 open-ended questions, each worth a maximum of 6 points

• Total time: 45 minutes

The assessment is intended to evaluate the following:

Mastery of content: the ability to present the topics covered in class and in the study materials accurately, clearly, and in a well-organized manner.

Clarity of expression: the use of appropriate and precise language, correct use of subject-specific terminology, and the ability to communicate effectively within the academic context of the exam.

Answering competence: the ability to provide accurate and coherent responses that demonstrate a solid and in-depth understanding of the topics addressed.

Grading scale:

18–21: General and superficial knowledge of the course topics, with difficulty in providing specific information. Language use is mostly correct but lacks precision and clarity.

22–25: More focused knowledge, limited to a smaller number of topics. Shows more independent and coherent analytical ability, although struggles remain in providing detailed answers. Language is generally appropriate and correct.

26–29: Good command of the content, with in-depth and specific knowledge of most topics. Demonstrates autonomous and well-structured analysis. Scientific terminology is used correctly.

30: Complete and thorough understanding of all course topics. Analysis is fully coherent and well-articulated, with precise, relevant, and appropriate use of scientific language.

 

Students with learning disabilities and temporary or permanent disabilities are invited to contact the dedicated office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as soon as possible in order to agree on the appropriate compensatory measures. The request must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the teacher, who will assess the suitability of the measures considering the educational objectives.

To pass the integrated course exam and have the result officially recorded, the student must achieve a passing grade in all the individual modules comprising the course. The final grade will be the average of the grades obtained in the individual modules.

The use of AI is prohibited during assessments. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

PC and video projector

Anatomical models

Office hours

See the website of Laura Archetti