kinematics /kin′əmat″iks, kī-′/ [Gk, kinema, motion] , the description, measurement, and recording of body motion without regard to the forces acting to produce the motion. Recordings of body motions are defined in one-plane relationships, although natural motions of the body often occur in more than one plane. Kinematics considers the motions of all body parts relative to the segments of the part involved in the motion and not necessarily in relation to the standard anatomical position. For example, the movements of the fingers are considered in relation to the midline of the hand, not the midline of the body. The most common types of motions studied in kinematics are flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. Kinematics is especially important in orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and physical therapy. Also spelled cinematics. Compare kinetics.
