ocomotor and Non Locomotor Movements

Locomotor Movements - These are movements where the body travels through space
from one location to another. Locomotor movements primarity use the feet for
support however, the body can travel on other parts such as the hands and feet.
Even Rhythm
Walk - The walk is a transfer of weight from one foot to the other. Usually the heel
touches first.
Run - The run is a transfer of weight from one foot to the other however, the body is
propelled into the air and suspended between run steps.
Jump - The jump required the body to push off from one or both feet. Most common
is a two foot take off and two foot landing. A jump can take off on one foot and land
on two or take off from two feet and land one one foot.
Hop - The hop requires a push-off from one foot and landing on the same foot.
Leap - A leap is performed by pushing off from one foot and landing on the other foot.
The body is suspended in the and between the push off and the landing. Can be
combined with a run or walk.
Uneven Rhythm
Skip - A combination of a step and a hop on the same foot followed by a step and hop
on the other foot. The rhythm is uneven long -short. Long (the step) and short (the
hop).
Gallop - A forward movement where one foot leads the gallop while the other foot
follows. The lead foot steps with a bent knee and pushes off into the air and landing
on the trailing foot. The rhythm is uneven, long -short. Long (the step) and short (the
landing).
Slide - Is similar to a gallop performed with the right or left foot leading. The rhythm
is uneven, long -short. Long (the step) and short (the landing).

Non Locomotor - These are movements that occur in the body parts or the whole

body and do not cause the body to travel to another space. However, non locomotor
movements can be combined with locomotor movements such as a walk and arm
swing.

Swing - a pendular motion of a body part that can move forward and backward or side
to side.
Twist - a partial rotation of body parts around an axis
Turn - a full rotation of the body around a vertical or horizontal axis. Full, half or
quarter turns
Shake - a short quick vibrating movement in a body part or the whole body.
Bend - a flex of a body part at a joint
Stretch - extending a body part or the whole body
Wiggle - a small or big, fast or slow curvy movement of a body part or the whole
body.
Rock or sway - shift of the body weight forward, backward, side to side or in a
circular pathway.