What does abduction refer to in terms of body movement?

Abduction refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. This term is commonly used in anatomical contexts to describe how limbs or other parts of the body move relative to an imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves. For instance, when you raise your arms or legs out to the sides, you are performing abduction.

Understanding this concept is crucial in fields such as physical therapy, sports science, and anatomy, as it provides a foundational knowledge of how body movements are classified and analyzed. The distinction from other types of movement, such as adduction (movement towards the midline) or rotation (turning around an axis), is vital for accurately describing human motion and its implications for health and performance.