How do planes and axes describe movement in gymnastics and sport?
The three planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and three axes (frontal, sagittal, vertical) and the sporting actions that occur in each.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on planes and axes of movement: the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes, the frontal, sagittal and vertical axes, and the sporting actions (somersault, cartwheel and twist) that occur in each.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to name the three planes and three axes of movement and identify the plane and axis for standard sporting actions, especially the somersault, cartwheel and twist.
What planes and axes are
The three planes
The three axes
The three exam examples
Edexcel always uses gymnastic and trampolining actions, so learn these three pairings exactly:
- A front or back tucked or piked somersault rotates in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
- A cartwheel rotates in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis.
- A full twist jump in trampolining rotates in the transverse plane about the vertical axis.
A memory aid is that the plane and axis are always partners: sagittal plane with frontal axis, frontal plane with sagittal axis, and transverse plane with vertical axis. Notice the plane and axis names are deliberately swapped between the first two pairs, which is exactly the trap the exam sets.
Linking planes to everyday joint actions
Planes and axes are not only for gymnastics. Many ordinary actions happen in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis, because that is the plane of forward and backward (flexion and extension) movement: a biceps curl, a squat, kicking a ball, walking and running all move this way. Side-to-side actions, such as a star jump, a side bend or a cartwheel, happen in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis. Twisting and turning actions, such as a discus turn, a swing of the hips in a golf drive or a full twist in trampolining, happen in the transverse plane about the vertical axis.
A quick way to choose is to ask which direction the body is rotating: forwards or backwards is sagittal plane and frontal axis; sideways is frontal plane and sagittal axis; turning on the spot is transverse plane and vertical axis. Linking the plane and axis to the joint action (flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, for example) connects this topic to the muscular and skeletal systems, which is exactly the joined-up understanding Component 1 rewards.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20182 marksA gymnast performs a forward somersault. Name the plane and the axis in which this movement occurs.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 short-answer recall question. One mark for the plane, one for the axis.
A forward (or backward) somersault occurs in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis. Award one mark each.
A common error is to swap the plane and axis. The somersault rotates forwards, which is the sagittal plane and frontal (side-to-side) axis.
Edexcel 20223 marksMatch each of the following gymnastic movements to its plane and axis: a cartwheel, a full twist jump, and a forward somersault.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 application question, one mark per correct pairing.
Award marks for: a cartwheel is in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis; a full twist jump is in the transverse plane about the vertical axis; a forward somersault is in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis.
Markers want the plane and axis paired correctly. The three standard examples (somersault, cartwheel, twist) are the ones to memorise.
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Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)