CLASSIFICATION OF JOINTS:

One of the functions of the skeleton is "movement". Joints enable the skeleton to move which is obviously essential to sport. Think how limited sports men and women would be if they did not have the movement capabilities of the human skeleton!

There are three main "CATEGORIES" or "CLASSIFICATIONS" of joint:
1) Where the joint can move only partially: slightly moveable (sometimes called partially moveable)
2) Where the joint can move in many directions: freely moveable.
3) Where the joint cannot move: fixed.

TEST YOURSELF:
1) Look at the picture: Which classification of joint is found at each letter?

A = B = C = D =

2) Which of these three sports tends to rely most heavily on flexibility at the slightly moveable joints of the vertebrae? gymnastics, football or skiing?
3) Which classification of joint can be found at the cranium as well as at the pelvis?