What does flexion refer to in body movement?

Flexion refers to the action of bending a body part, which typically decreases the angle between two body segments. For instance, when you bend your elbow to bring your hand closer to your shoulder, you are performing flexion of the elbow joint. This movement is commonly observed in actions such as lifting weights, walking, and various exercises. Understanding this concept is essential for recognizing how different joints and muscles function during physical activities, enabling an individual to perform tasks more effectively and avoid injury.

The other options describe different types of movements: stretching refers to increasing the length of a muscle or joint beyond its resting position, rotation involves turning a body part around its axis, and extension increases the angle between body segments, often returning a flexed joint back to a neutral position. These distinctions are crucial for accurately understanding movement descriptions in anatomy and physiology.