What is the term for movement away from the midline of the body?

The term for movement away from the midline of the body is "abduction." This movement involves a limb or body part being raised or moved outward from the center of the body. For instance, when you lift your arms or legs sideways away from your torso, that action is abduction. This concept is crucial in understanding various movements performed during exercise and aquatic fitness, as many exercises incorporate abduction to target specific muscle groups effectively.

In contrast, adduction is the movement toward the midline, while flexion and extension involve bending and straightening movements around a joint, respectively. Therefore, the definition of abduction directly aligns with the movement described in the question, making it the correct answer.