Welcome to Movement Analysis!
Ever wondered how coaches describe a perfect somersault or a pro-skater’s spin in such detail? It all comes down to planes and axes. Think of these as an invisible 3D map of the human body.
Don't worry if this seems a bit "scientific" at first. Once you visualize the "slices" and the "axles," it becomes much easier! By the end of these notes, you’ll be able to identify exactly how an athlete is moving through space.
1. What are Planes of Movement?
Imagine a giant piece of glass slicing through your body. This "slice" is a plane. In the AQA syllabus, we focus on three main planes:
The Sagittal Plane
This plane slices the body vertically into left and right sides.
Example: Think of being stuck in a narrow hallway. You can move forward and backward, but you can’t move side-to-side.
Sporting Actions: Running, a forward roll, or a front somersault.
The Frontal Plane
This plane slices the body vertically into front and back sections.
Example: Imagine you are pressed between two sheets of glass. You can only move your arms and legs out to the side.
Sporting Actions: A cartwheel or a star jump.
The Transverse Plane
This plane slices the body horizontally into top (upper) and bottom (lower) halves.
Example: Imagine a tabletop passing through your waist. Any movement that involves twisting happens here.
Sporting Actions: A 360° twist in ice skating or a discus thrower rotating.
Quick Tip: Memory Aid
Sagittal = Side-on view (you see the profile).
Frontal = Front view (like a star jump).
Transverse = Twist.
Key Takeaway: Planes are the "flat surfaces" or slices that movement occurs within.
2. What are Axes of Movement?
While a plane is a "slice," an axis (plural: axes) is an invisible line that the body rotates around. Think of these like the metal rods on a Table Football (Foosball) game.
The Transverse Axis
This line runs through the body from hip to hip (left to right).
Analogy: Imagine a bar passing through your hips. You can rotate forward or backward over it.
Sporting Actions: Somersaults or forward rolls.
The Sagittal Axis
This line runs through the body from front to back (like an arrow through your belly button).
Analogy: Imagine being pinned to a wall. You can only tilt side-to-side.
Sporting Actions: A cartwheel.
The Longitudinal Axis
This line runs vertically from the top of your head down to your feet.
Analogy: Imagine being a rotisserie chicken on a vertical pole! You can only spin around in a circle.
Sporting Actions: A 360° spin or a discus thrower's rotation.
Key Takeaway: An axis is the "axle" or line that the body spins or rotates around.
3. Putting it Together: The Perfect Pairs
In the exam, you need to know which plane and axis work together for specific sporting actions. This is often where students get confused, but there is a simple rule: Movement occurs in a plane and around an axis.
Action 1: The Front Somersault / Forward Roll / Running
• Plane: Sagittal (moving forward/backward)
• Axis: Transverse (rotating over the hip-to-hip line)
Action 2: The Cartwheel
• Plane: Frontal (moving side-to-side)
• Axis: Sagittal (rotating around the front-to-back line)
Action 3: 360° Twist / Discus Rotation
• Plane: Transverse (the twisting motion)
• Axis: Longitudinal (spinning around the head-to-toe line)
4. Quick Review & Common Mistakes
Did You Know?
When you are running, your legs are moving in the Sagittal Plane. Even though you are moving "forward" in a straight line, your hip and knee joints are swinging through that left/right "slice" of space!
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Mixing up the Sagittal Plane and Axis: Remember, the Sagittal Plane divides you into left/right, but the Sagittal Axis pierces you from front to back. They are at right angles to each other!
• Spelling: Make sure you spell Longitudinal and Sagittal correctly to get full marks.
Quick Review Box:
1. Frontal Plane + Sagittal Axis = Side-to-side movement (Cartwheel).
2. Sagittal Plane + Transverse Axis = Forward/Backward movement (Somersault/Running).
3. Transverse Plane + Longitudinal Axis = Rotation/Twisting (360° Spin).
Final Encouragement: Try doing the movements yourself! Stand up and try a "mini" version of these actions while thinking about where the "glass slice" (plane) would be and where the "pole" (axis) would go. It’s the best way to make it stick!