2.2 - Planes & Axes
What planes of movement are and their purpose
Planes of movement provide a way to describe the direction in which body parts or the whole body move during physical activities. A plane is an imaginary flat surface that passes through the body, helping to categorise movements based on their orientation.
The three main planes of movement
There are three primary planes that divide the body in different ways.
The three planes of movement
- Sagittal plane - This vertical plane divides the body into left and right halves
- Transverse plane - This horizontal plane divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) sections
- Frontal plane - This vertical plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts
What axes of movement are and their purpose
Axes of movement are imaginary straight lines around which body parts or the entire body rotate during motion. An axis acts like a pivot point.
The three main axes of movement
Similar to planes, there are three key axes that align with the body's main orientations.
The three axes of movement
- Sagittal axis - This horizontal axis runs from the front to the back of the body
- Longitudinal axis - This vertical axis runs from the top to the bottom of the body
- Transverse axis - This horizontal axis runs from the left to the right side of the body
How planes and axes combine in body movements
Every movement in the body involves both a plane and an axis, and these combinations are always consistent. For instance, movements in the sagittal plane always occur around the transverse axis.
Common movement types and their plane-axis combinations
| Movement type | Description | Plane | Axis | Direction of movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexion/extension | Bending (flexion) or straightening (extension) a joint, reducing or increasing the angle between bones | Sagittal | Transverse | Forwards or backwards |
| Abduction/adduction | Moving a limb away from (abduction) or towards (adduction) the body's midline | Frontal | Sagittal | Left or right (side to side) |
| Rotation | Turning a body part clockwise or anticlockwise around its long axis | Transverse | Longitudinal | Clockwise or anticlockwise |
Sporting examples of movements using specific plane and axis combinations
Applying planes and axes to real sports helps illustrate how these concepts enhance performance. Each movement type has practical examples where the plane and axis pairing contributes to technique, power, or precision.
Flexion/extension examples (sagittal plane, transverse axis)
- In running, the legs flex and extend at the knee and hip to propel the body forwards
- In gymnastics, a tucked somersault involves flexing the body forwards around the transverse axis
- A piked somersault uses a straighter extension for control
Abduction/adduction examples (frontal plane, sagittal axis)
- A cartwheel in gymnastics requires abducting the legs sideways around the sagittal axis to create the wheel-like motion
Rotation examples (transverse plane, longitudinal axis)
- In trampolining, a full twist jump involves rotating the body anticlockwise around the longitudinal axis
- A discus throw uses rotation in the transverse plane to build centrifugal force
- An ice skating spin twists the body rapidly around the longitudinal axis for aesthetic and technical scoring