A handstand is a gymnastic move that occurs when a person balances on her hands with their legs straight in the air. Doing a handstand requires strength and flexibility of the muscles and joints in the body. Handstands should be done with a gymnastic teacher nearby to avoid injury.
Hinge Joint
One of the joints used in a handstand is the hinge joint. The hinge joint moves similar to a door opening and closing. Hinge joints are in the elbow, knee and ankle. During a handstand, the joint in the elbow is locked to allow the arms to become straight and support the weight of the body. The joint in the knee and ankle is also used when bringing the legs up in the air and keeping the legs straight and feet pointed.
Pivot Joint
The pivot joint allows for rotation of one bone around another, reports ENotes.com. The pivot joint connects the first and second vertebrae together at the base of the skull. This allows rotation of the neck. A pivot joint is also situated by the elbow and connects the ulna and radius together. This allows for pronation, which is required when the palm faces down in a handstand.
Ball and Socket Joint
The ball and socket joint allows for a circular motion and rotation, according to the book "Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology 3rd Edition." The ball and socket joints are located at the hip and the shoulder, which are both used during a handstand. The ball and socket joint in the hip allows the legs to rotate upward. In the shoulder, the joint allows arms to rotate above the head to support the body in a handstand.
Condyloid Joint
The fourth type of joint that is needed to do a handstand is the condyloid joint. The condyloid joint is in the wrist and allows for flexion and extension of the wrist. This allows the wrist to be bent at a 90-degree angle when doing a handstand. The condyloid joint also allows the wrist to rotate inward, outward and in a circular motion.
References
- ENotes Encyclopedia of Nursing & Allied Health: Pivot Joint
- "Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology 3rd Edition"; Frederick Martini, et al.; 2003
