What are the four movements of the spine?

The four movements of the spine are flexion, extension, rotation, and side bending.

Flexion refers to the bending of the spine forward, decreasing the angle between the segments. Extension is the opposite movement, where the spine bends backward, increasing the angle. Rotation involves twisting the spine around its axis, allowing for a range of movements important for activities like reaching or turning. Side bending, also known as lateral flexion, is the movement of bending the spine to one side or the other.

Understanding these movements is critical for fitness instructors as they need to teach their clients proper techniques and ensure that exercises promote a healthy range of motion in the spine while minimizing the risk of injury. The other options include movements that either don't accurately represent the primary spinal movements or introduce terms that are not standard in describing spine mobility.