Movement analysis

Any instructor, at whatever level, should have a working knowledge of joint and muscle actions and how to analyse simple movements. Targeting specific prime movers can improve the effectiveness of programming for individuals.

When trying to analyse a movement, it is necessary to consider the following:

• The movement patterns occurring at joints as a result of the movement
• The muscles, or group of muscles, responsible for the movement – prime mover(s)
• How the muscle is contracting
• The function of the muscles contracting
• The synergists and the fixator muscles for the movement
• The planes in which the movements occur
• The speed of the movement
• The energy systems used in the movement
• The work rate recovery