What's The Difference Between Inversion and Eversion?

This blog will teach you the difference between Inversion and Eversion of the Ankle and how to remember these joint actions for your Level 2 and 3 anatomy and physiology exam

You’ll discover:

Why FitPros find joint actions hard to revise
What’s the difference between Inversion and Eversion?
What are Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion
What are Pronation and Supination?
How to learn with simplicity for the rest of the modules
Three Example Mock Question about Ankle Movements

Why FitPros find the Joint Actions hard to revise

The Joint Actions are notoriously claimed to be one of the hardest modules within Level 2 and 3 Anatomy and Physiology exam syllabus, so you are not alone if you find this area difficult to understand.

Unlike other areas of anatomy (like bones), it can be hard to make sense of the joint actions from an image in a manual. It may also feel like this is less directly related to training clients as a FitPro.

Although you might not actually be quoting the technical joint action terms with your clients, the knowledge of this is foundational and absolutely crucial in order to create balanced workout plans and understand how the body moves.

Key ankle and foot movements

There are 6 Key Joint actions that occur in the ankle and foot, here’s the difference between them

Eversion
Inversion
Dorsiflexion
Plantarflexion
Pronation
Supination

What’s the difference between Inversion and Eversion?

Eversion of the Ankle

Tilting of the sole of the foot outwards to face laterally
This looks like you are pushing your big toes into the ground and lifting the little toe up.
The movement is occurring at the SubTalar Joint which is where the talus meets the calcaneus.
Performed by the fibularis brevis and fibularis longus.

Inversion of the Ankle

Tilting of the sole of the foot inwards to face medially.
This looks like you are pushing your little toes into the ground and lifting the big toe up.
The movement is occurring at the SubTalar Joint which is where the talus meets the calcaneus.
Performed by the tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior muscles

What’s the difference between Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion?

Dorsiflexion of the Foot

Pulling the foot upwards towards the leg, making the angle on the front (anterior) of the ankle smaller
This looks like you are bringing “toes towards your nose”
The movement is occurring at the Talocrural joint ( between the end of the leg – tibia and fibula, and the talus)
Performed by the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.

Plantarflexion of the Foot

Pulling the foot downwards away from the lower leg, making the angle on the front (anterior) of the ankle larger
This looks like you are “pointing” your toes away from your nose
The movement is occurring at the Talocrural joint ( between the end of the leg – tibia and fibula, and the talus)
Performed by the gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus and fibularis longus.

What’s the difference between Pronation and Supination?

Pronation of the Foot

Flattening motion making the foot longer and wider
Composed of three components: subtalar eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, and forefoot abduction, these three distinct motions of the foot occur simultaneously during the pronation phase.

Supination of the Foot

Lifting motion, making the foot shorter and narrower
Composed of three components: subtalar inversion, ankle plantarflexion, and forefoot adduction, these three distinct motions of the foot occur simultaneously during the supination phase.

	Pronation	Supination
Talocrural joint	dorsiflexion	plantar flexion
Subtalar joint	eversion	inversion
Transverse tarsal joint	abduction	adduction

How to learn with simplicity for the rest of the modules

You’re guaranteed to get 5 to 8 questions on the joint actions in either Level 2 or Level 3 exams

Throughout all our revision boot camps I have created clear video tutorials to TEACH you complex topics like the joint actions and make it easy to remember on exam day.

This means you can break complex topics down and more importantly remember them come exam day.

The two most popular revision bootcamps are

Level 2 A&P <<

>> Level 3 A&P

I’ve done the heavy lifting here and constantly link to things you already know throughout each revision bootcamp.

In summary

Inversion and Eversion are joint actions that happen at the SubTalar joint (ankle)
Pronation and Supination of the foot are more complicated movements with at three joint actions per movement.
Here’s what Lydia had to say about the A&P Revision Mastery Bootcamp

I can’t recommend Parallel Coaching enough their learning material is fantastic and definitely was a huge factor in me passing my A&P level 3.
Lydia

Test your knowledge with today’s joint action mock questions:

[NOTE: The answers are below the 3rd questions]

1.If a client’s weight is bias to the medial edge of the foot. What would you likely see at the ankle?
A. Inversion
B. Eversion
C. Plantarflexion
D. Nothing

2.What joint is responsible for Dorsiflexion?
A. SubTalar Joint
B. Hinge Joint
C. TaloCrural Joint
D. Plantarflexion

3.When looking from the front. Is the Tibia on the inside or outside of the Right leg?
A. Inside
B. Outside

4.During Supination of the foot what occurs at the subtalar joint?
A. Inversion
B. Eversion

5. If a client performs a calf raise. What is happening to the foot?
A. Plantarflexion
B. Dorsiflexion
C. Inversion
D. Eversion

What’s the CORRECT answer?

Answers to the mock questions are :

Question 1= B, Question 2 = C, Question 3 = A, Question 4 = A, Question 5 = A

If you want more mock questions like this, then you can download more Free Mock Questions: DOWNLOAD NOW

Need More Help with your Anatomy Exam Revision?

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If you want to get your revision structured, learn everything you need to know and feel confident on exam day, then click the link below:

https://revision.parallelcoaching.co.uk/fitness-exam-revision-courses

Hayley “inversion and eversion” Bergman

Parallel Coaching

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