Which of the following movements involves moving a limb away from the midline of the body?

The movement that involves moving a limb away from the midline of the body is abduction. In kinesiology, abduction refers specifically to the action of raising a limb sideways, away from the central axis of the body. This movement is commonly seen in the arms and legs, such as when lifting the arms out to the sides or spreading the legs apart.

Understanding this movement is essential for analyzing functional movements in activities of daily living, sports, and rehabilitation exercises. It helps to differentiate from other movements; for example, adduction is the opposite, bringing a limb closer to the midline, while flexion involves decreasing the angle between body parts, and extension increases that angle, typically in a forward or backward motion. Thus, recognizing abduction as the movement away from the midline is crucial for a clear understanding of body mechanics and movement patterns.