The spine consists of 33 bones or vertebrae, 24 of which are separate bones allowing movement and 9 which are fused together. The 5 sections of the spine or vertebral column are the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum which includes the coccyx. Structure of the spine Intervertebral Discs Each vertebra is separated by intervertebral discs
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The three types of muscle found in the human body are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. Skeletal muscle Skeletal muscles attach to bones. Their main function when they contract is the movement of the skeleton. Sometimes we call skeletal muscle types striated muscle. This is because of their striped appearance caused by bands of Actin
Anatomical planes are the three planes of motion in which we move. Here we explain the frontal, transverse and sagittal planes as well as the anatomical position. Sports scientists and medical professionals use the terminology to describe how the body moves. If you think about it, most of our movements are not straight up and
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Within skeletal muscles, there are three muscle fibre types. Type one (I), type two A (IIa) and type two B (IIb). Each fibre type has different qualities in the way they perform and how quickly they fatigue. Type I muscle fibres Type I muscle fibres are slow-twitch. They are red in colour due to large
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The sliding filament theory of muscle contraction is the mechanism by which muscles are thought to contract at a cellular level. It explains the steps in muscle contraction. A good understanding of skeletal muscle structure is useful when learning how sliding filament theory works. What is sliding filament theory? At a very basic level, each
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The following exercise will stretch the muscles of the arm. Click on the links below to see more detail on muscles stretched, teaching points, variations, and related injuries. Wrist Flexor Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Wrist Extensor Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Triceps Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched
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The following exercise will stretch the muscles of the shoulder. Click on the links below to see more detail on muscles stretched, teaching points, variations, and related injuries. Anterior Shoulder Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Anterior Shoulder Stretch II Teaching Points If you can’t quite reach, use the highest point you can
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The following exercise will stretch and mobilise the thigh muscles. Click on the links below to see more detail on muscles stretched, teaching points, variations, and related injuries. Shin Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Advanced Shin Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Standing Shin Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched
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The following exercise stretch and mobilise the hip and groin. Click on the links below to see more detail on muscles stretched, teaching points, variations, and related injuries. The following exercises help prevent and recover from groin pain related injuries. Gluteus Maximus Stretch Teaching Points Variations Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Outer Hip Stretch Teaching Points
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Back stretching exercises mobilise the lower back. Here we explain some important exercises for preventing and treating back pain. Lower Back Stretch Teaching Points Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Latissimus Dorsi Teaching Points Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Latissimus Dorsi II Teaching Points Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Back Arch Teaching Points Muscles Stretched Related Injuries Back Rotation
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