What is meant by "internal rotation"?

Internal rotation refers to the movement of an extremity or body part towards the midline of the body. This action involves the rotation of a limb such that the front of the limb turns inward. For example, if you stand with your arms at your sides and bend your elbows, rotating your forearms towards your body is an example of internal rotation. This type of movement is crucial in various physical activities and rehabilitation exercises as it helps maintain mobility, stability, and strength in joints.

In the context of anatomy and movement mechanics, internal rotation plays an important role in certain exercises and sports movements, such as throwing or swinging, where the body often requires components of rotation to generate power and accuracy. Understanding this movement is essential for both injury prevention and rehabilitation, as improper mechanics can lead to strain or injury in muscles and joints.

The other options describe different types of movement; rotating away from the midline is known as external rotation, spinning in a circle relates to circumduction, and moving limbs in opposite directions refers to abduction or adduction depending on the context, but they do not capture the essence of internal rotation accurately.