What movement is characterized by bringing the arms or legs away from the body's midline?

The movement defined as bringing the arms or legs away from the body's midline is referred to as abduction. This action occurs in various movements, such as lifting the arms sideways (like a jumping jack) or spreading the legs apart. Abduction is fundamental to understanding how the body moves in different planes and is crucial for activities that require lateral movement.

In contrast, adduction describes the movement of limbs towards the midline of the body. Flexion refers to the bending of a joint, which decreases the angle between two body parts, while extension refers to the straightening of a joint, increasing that angle. Understanding these different types of movements is essential for designing effective training programs and ensuring proper exercise execution.