The Planes & Axes of Movement Used During Sport (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))
Revision Note
Author
Ruth BrindleExpertise
Biology
The Planes & Axes of Movement Used During Sport
Understanding the relevant planes and axes (singular axis) of movement is essential when analysing and describing sporting actions
A plane in this context refers to an imaginary flat surface along which an object can move
An axis is an imaginary line around which an object rotates
Planes of movement
Body parts can move on one of three different planes
Frontal plane:
Movement on this plane is from side-to-side
The plane can be imagined as a flat surface that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves
Movements along a frontal plane include abduction and adduction movements
Transverse plane:
Movement on this plane involves changes in direction
The plane can be imagined as a flat surface that divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) halves
Movements on a transverse plane are rotational, or turning, movements
Sagittal plane:
Movement on this plane are forwards or backwards
The plane can be imagined as a flat surface that divides the body into left and right halves
Movements on a sagittal plane include flexion or extension movements
Movements are parallel to the plane in which they take place
When describing a movement in terms of planes, the dominant direction of movement is used
Axes of rotation
Movements can occur around one of three different axes
Sagittal axis:
The axis is a horizontal line that passes through the body from front to back
Movements in a frontal plane take place around this sagittal axis
Examples of movements around a sagittal axis include:
Star jumps, or jumping jacks, use abduction when arms move outwards and adduction when the arms pull back towards the body
Cartwheel: the body rotates around a front-back axis during a cartwheel motion
Longitudinal axis:
The axis is a vertical line that passes through the body from top to bottom
Movements in a transverse plane take place around this longitudinal axis
Examples of movements around a longitudinal axis include:
Ice skating spin involving a 360° turn
Discus throwers spin before releasing the disc
Transverse axis:
The axis is a horizontal line that passes through the body from side to side
Movements in a sagittal plane take place around a transverse axis
Examples of movements around a transverse axis include:
Running
Forward somersault
Planes and axes of movement diagram
Movement occurs on different planes and around different axes
Plane | Axis | Movement type | Direction of movement | Sporting action |
---|---|---|---|---|
Frontal | Sagittal | Abduction or adduction | Side to side | Cartwheel, jumping jacks |
Transverse | Longitudinal | Rotation | Turning | Ice skating spin, hammer throw, discus throw |
Sagittal | Frontal | Flexion or extension | Forward or backward | Walking, running, forward somersault |
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