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Degree Course in

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BASI MORFOLOGICHE E FUNZIONALI
Module Kinesiology

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: ROSARIO FERLITO

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the main principles of human kinesiology, with particular reference to the analysis of physiological and dysfunctional movement.
They will have acquired knowledge of joint and muscle biomechanics, motor control mechanisms, and the functional principles underlying motor performance.
They will also be able to interpret movement from a clinical-functional perspective, recognizing its implications for assessment and the planning of rehabilitation interventions.
Finally, students will develop skills that enable them to integrate kinesiology-based reasoning into the educational and professional practice of the physiotherapist.

Course Structure

Teaching activities will be carried out through lectures aimed at the systematic delivery of the theoretical contents of the course. The lectures will be progressively structured, starting from the fundamentals of kinesiology and the biomechanics of human movement and moving toward the functional analysis of the main joint regions and motor tasks. Throughout the course, theoretical contents will be integrated with practical examples, references to functional anatomy, and links to clinical and rehabilitative reasoning, in order to promote a thorough and contextualized understanding of human movement. Teaching may also be supported by learning materials, presentations, and explanatory diagrams designed to facilitate the understanding of the main concepts covered.

Required Prerequisites

For a full understanding of the course contents, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of human anatomy. A useful prerequisite is familiarity with the main components of the musculoskeletal system, the relationships between structure and function, and the fundamental principles of the biomechanics of human movement. It is also important that students are able to use appropriate terminology and relate their prior knowledge to the analysis of movement in functional and rehabilitative contexts.

Attendance of Lessons

mandatory attendance

Detailed Course Content

Introduction to Kinesiology
Definition, scope of study, and relevance of kinesiology in the education of physiotherapists. Framing human movement as an integrated expression of structure, function, and control.

Terminology of Human Movement
Planes and axes of movement, anatomical position, descriptive terminology of joint movements, and general concepts for the analysis of motor tasks.

Fundamentals of Biomechanics Applied to Human Movement
Concepts of force, moment of force, lever systems, balance, center of gravity, stability, and mechanical loading. Principles of kinematics and dynamics applied to the musculoskeletal system.

Osteokinematics and Arthrokinematics
Study of physiological joint movements and interactions between articular surfaces. Rolling, gliding, spin, and their functional significance.

Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System
Functional properties of bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint capsule, and cartilage. Relationships between joint morphology and function.

Muscle Biomechanics
Muscle action, types of contraction, roles of agonists, antagonists, and synergists. Length-tension relationship, force-velocity relationship, and movement production.

Motor Control and Functional Stability
General principles of neuromuscular control, dynamic joint stabilization, motor coordination, and postural control.

Kinesiology of the Shoulder Girdle and Shoulder Joint
Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the scapulohumeral complex. Scapulohumeral rhythm, shoulder mobility and stability, and the role of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles.

Kinesiology of the Elbow, Forearm, Wrist, and Hand
Biomechanics of the elbow and radioulnar joints, pronation-supination, wrist function, grasp, pinch, and the main functional patterns of the hand.

Kinesiology of the Vertebral Column
Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Segmental and global mobility, spinal stability, and the role of the intervertebral discs and trunk musculature.

Kinesiology of the Temporomandibular Joint and the Craniocervical Region
Essential elements of functional anatomy and biomechanics, with particular attention to the relationships between mandibular movement, posture, and cervical function.

Kinesiology of the Pelvis and Hip
Functional anatomy of the lumbopelvic complex and the hip joint. Relationships between stability, mobility, and load transfer.

Kinesiology of the Knee
Biomechanics of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints. Movement in open and closed kinetic chains, ligamentous stability, and muscular control.

Kinesiology of the Ankle and Foot
Functional anatomy of the talocrural complex and the foot. Plantar support, adaptation to load, and absorption and transmission of forces.

Functional Analysis of Gait and Major Motor Tasks
Introductory principles of gait analysis, postural transitions, and basic functional movements. Interpretation of motor tasks in relation to function.

Clinical-Functional Interpretation of Movement
Application of kinesiology principles to the observation of physiological and dysfunctional movement. Framing the implications for physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitative reasoning.

Textbook Information

Neumann DA. Neumann’s Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Elsevier;

 2024.

Oatis CA. Kinesiology: The Mechanics and Pathomechanics of Human Movement. 3rd ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2017.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Learning assessment will be carried out through an oral examination aimed at verifying the acquisition of the theoretical knowledge related to the course contents, as well as the student’s ability to understand and elaborate the main concepts. Evaluation will take into account the level of preparation in kinesiology, the appropriate use of scientific terminology, clarity of exposition, and the ability to apply biomechanical and functional principles to the analysis of human movement.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

  • Define kinesiology and explain its role in the education of the physiotherapist.
  • Describe the main planes and axes of human movement, providing practical examples.
  • Explain the difference between osteokinematics and arthrokinematics.
  • Illustrate the main biomechanical principles applied to human movement.
  • Describe the muscle length-tension relationship and the force-velocity relationship.
  • Analyze the biomechanics of the scapulohumeral complex during arm elevation.
  • Describe the main biomechanical characteristics of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
  • Explain the functional significance of movement in open and closed kinetic chains.
  • Illustrate the fundamental elements of knee or hip biomechanics.
  • Describe the basic principles of gait analysis and the main functional activities.
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