When the palm is facing down, what movement is being performed?

When the palm is facing down, the movement being performed is known as pronation. This term refers to the rotation of the forearm or hand such that the palm turns to face downwards or backwards. In anatomical terms, pronation of the forearm occurs when the radius and ulna, the two bones in the forearm, cross over each other.

To provide additional context, the concept of supination is the opposite of pronation. Supination occurs when the palm faces upwards. Elevation and retraction do not pertain to the positioning of the palms; they are movements related to the lifting of body parts and the backward movement of the shoulder blades, respectively. Understanding these movements is essential, especially for fitness professionals who instruct exercises that involve wrist and forearm positions.