What does Edexcel GCSE PE movement analysis cover?

It is Component 1, Topic 2, and covers the basic principles of movement: the three classes of lever (first, second and third) and the mechanical advantage they provide, and the three planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and three axes (frontal, sagittal, vertical) of movement. The use-of-data topic, embedded throughout Component 1, is also practised here through analysing movement and fitness data against normative tables.

How do you remember the three classes of lever?

Use the component in the middle. A first-class lever has the fulcrum in the middle (nodding the head). A second-class lever has the load in the middle (rising onto tiptoes at the ankle). A third-class lever has the effort in the middle (a biceps curl at the elbow). Most levers in the body are third class, which trade force for speed and range of movement.

What plane and axis is a somersault, a cartwheel and a twist?

A forward or backward somersault is in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis. A cartwheel is in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis. A full twist jump is in the transverse plane about the vertical axis. These three gymnastic examples are the ones to memorise, because the names of the sagittal and frontal pairs cross over between plane and axis, which is the common exam trap.

How do you calculate mechanical advantage?

Mechanical advantage is the load divided by the effort. For example, a load of 240 N and an effort of 60 N gives a mechanical advantage of 4. It has no unit because it is a ratio. A value above 1 means the effort arm is longer than the load arm (a second-class lever, built for force); a value below 1 means a mechanical disadvantage (a third-class lever, built for speed and range).

How should I revise movement analysis for Edexcel PE?

Memorise the three lever classes by the middle component and the three plane and axis pairings for the standard gymnastic examples, because these are quick recall marks. Practise the mechanical advantage calculation, and the averages and normative-data interpretation used in the use-of-data questions. Work through the lever, planes and axes, and data dot-point pages, then attempt the quiz.

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Edexcel GCSE PE movement analysis: a complete overview of Component 1 Topic 2

A complete overview of Edexcel GCSE PE movement analysis (Component 1, Topic 2). Covers the three classes of lever and mechanical advantage, the three planes and axes of movement, and the use-of-data skills used to analyse movement and fitness.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.812 min read1PE0-2Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this topic demands
Lever systems
Planes and axes
Using data to analyse movement
Check your knowledge

What this topic demands

Movement analysis is Topic 2 of Component 1. It is short but high-yield: a handful of facts about levers and about planes and axes that, learned precisely, deliver quick marks. The exam tests recall (naming a lever class or a plane and axis), a calculation (mechanical advantage) and the use-of-data skills that run through Component 1. This overview ties the dot-point pages together.

Lever systems

A lever has a fulcrum (joint), an effort (muscle force) and a load (resistance). The class is set by which is in the middle: first class (fulcrum, the neck), second class (load, the ankle on tiptoes), third class (effort, the elbow in a curl). Mechanical advantage is $\frac{\text{load}}{\text{effort}}$ : above 1 means the effort arm is longer (force, a second-class lever), below 1 means a mechanical disadvantage (speed and range, a third-class lever). Most body levers are third class. See the lever systems page.

Planes and axes

A plane is the flat surface a movement happens along; an axis is the line the body rotates around. The three pairs are: sagittal plane and frontal axis (a somersault), frontal plane and sagittal axis (a cartwheel), and transverse plane and vertical axis (a twist). The names of the sagittal and frontal pairs cross over, which is the common trap. See the planes and axes page.

Using data to analyse movement

The use-of-data topic asks you to collect qualitative and quantitative data, present it in tables and graphs, calculate the mean, median, mode and range, and interpret results against normative data. This turns a raw number (a sit-and-reach score) into a judgement (above or below average for that age and sex). See the analysing movement with data page.

Check your knowledge

Attempt these, then check the solutions.

Which class of lever is a biceps curl, and which component is in the middle? (2 marks)
Calculate the mechanical advantage of a lever with a load of 300 N and an effort of 100 N, and state its unit. (2 marks)
Name the plane and axis for a cartwheel. (2 marks)
Name the plane and axis for a full twist jump. (2 marks)
The values 5, 7, 7, 9, 12 are recorded. Find the mean and the range. (2 marks)

Sources & how we know this

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)