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      Movements possible at different joints

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the movements that occur at different types of joints.

      Key learning points

      1. A hinge joint only allows flexion and extension to occur whereas a ball and socket joint allows all types of movement.
      2. Flexion and extension occur at the shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist and knee joints.
      3. Plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion occur at the ankle.
      4. Abduction and adduction occur at the shoulder, wrist and hip joints.
      5. Rotation and circumduction only occur at the shoulder, whilst plantar flexion and dorsiflexion only occur at the ankle.

      Keywords

      • Flexion - a bending movement around a joint (decreasing the angle)

      • Extension - a straightening movement around a joint (increasing the angle)

      • Abduction - moving a limb away from the midline of the body

      • Adduction - moving a limb towards the midline of the body

      • Circumduction - moving a limb in a circular motion

      Common misconception

      Students may mix up rotation and circumduction.

      When you rotate the shoulder joint you draw a dot with your hand (if the elbow is fully extended) whereas circumduction draws a circle.

      Teacher tip

      Playing Simon Says to get pupils to act out the different movements at different joints is a great way to learn them kinaesthetically.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is not an example of a hinge joint?

      elbow
      knee
      ankle
      Correct answer: hip

      Q2.
      Which of the following is not a feature at synovial joints?

      joint capsule
      Correct answer: synapses
      ligaments
      cartilage

      Q3.
      The joint capsule and ligaments help prevent...

      Correct Answer: dislocation, dislocations

      Q4.
      Which of the following statements correctly identifies the movements possible at a hinge joint?

      Correct answer: flexion and extension
      abduction and adduction
      rotation and circumduction
      flexion, extension, abduction and adduction

      Q5.
      A bone is a type of bone that provides protection for vital organs.

      Correct Answer: flat, flat bone

      Q6.
      Match the following synovial joint features with their function.

      Correct Answer:cartilage,covers the ends of bones to absorb shock and prevent friction
      Correct Answer:synovial fluid,lubricates the joint to enable free movement
      Correct Answer:synovial membrane,secretes synovial fluid

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Flexion and extension are the only movements possible at what type of joint?

      a ball and socket joint
      Correct answer: a hinge joint
      a pivot joint
      a condyloid joint

      Q2.
      Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction are all movements possible at what sort of joints.

      hinge
      Correct answer: ball and socket
      pivot

      Q3.
      The type of movement being illustrated at the shoulder joint in the diagram is . This is where the arm moves up in front of the body.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: flexion, flexing

      Q4.
      The type of movement being illustrated in the diagram is ...

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: abduction

      Q5.
      Match the following movement terminology with the correct sporting example.

      Correct Answer:extension,straightening of the knee to execute kicking a ball
      Correct Answer:flexion, bending at the elbow to prepare to shoot in basketball
      Correct Answer:circumduction,the circular motion of the arm when bowling in cricket
      Correct Answer:rotation,turning the head to breath when swimming front crawl
      Correct Answer:plantar-flexion,pointing the toes in gymnastics

      Q6.
      Turning your head to the side to breath when swimming front crawl is known as ...

      Correct Answer: rotation, rotating

      To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Movements possible at different joints, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...