How do we describe the direction of a movement in three dimensions, and which plane and axis does a somersault use?
The planes of movement (sagittal, frontal and transverse) and the axes of rotation (transverse, sagittal and longitudinal), how each plane pairs with an axis, and the analysis of sporting movements such as somersaults, cartwheels and twists using planes and axes.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on planes and axes of movement: the three planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse), the three axes (transverse, sagittal, longitudinal), how each plane pairs with its axis, and how to analyse somersaults, cartwheels and twists.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to name the three planes and three axes of movement, match each plane to its axis, and analyse rotational sporting movements (somersault, cartwheel, twist) by stating the plane and axis.
Planes of movement
- Sagittal plane: movements that travel forward and backward, such as running, a biceps curl, a forward roll or a somersault.
- Frontal plane: movements that travel side to side, such as a star jump, a side bend or a cartwheel.
- Transverse plane: rotational movements around the long axis of the body, such as a twist or a discus turn.
Axes of rotation
Matching plane to axis
The reason the pairings work is that the axis is always perpendicular (at right angles) to the plane the movement happens in. A somersault travels in the sagittal plane, but the body spins around the transverse axis that passes through the hips from side to side, which is at right angles to that plane.
Planes and axes in physical activity
This topic lets you describe complex skills precisely. A diver performing a forward two-and-a-half somersault with a twist is analysed as rotation in the sagittal plane (transverse axis) for the somersaults and the transverse plane (longitudinal axis) for the twist. Coaches and performers use this language to give accurate feedback, which links directly to the analysis and evaluation of performance in the non-exam assessment.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20182 marksA gymnast performs a forward somersault. Identify the plane of movement and the axis of rotation.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 movement-analysis item. Award one mark for the plane and one for the axis.
A forward somersault rotates the body forwards. The movement happens in the sagittal plane and rotates around the transverse axis (the axis that runs from side to side through the hips).
Markers want both terms correct and matched. A common error is the right plane but the wrong axis: the sagittal plane always pairs with the transverse axis.
Eduqas 20214 marksComplete the plane and axis for each movement: (a) a cartwheel and (b) a full twist (a 360 degree turn) in the air. For each, name the plane and the axis.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark structured item, one mark per correct plane and axis.
(a) A cartwheel moves sideways, rotating in the frontal plane around the sagittal axis (the front-to-back axis).
(b) A full twist (spinning around the long axis of the body, like an ice skater's spin) happens in the transverse plane around the longitudinal axis (the head-to-toe axis).
Markers reward each correct pairing. Learn the three pairings together: sagittal plane with transverse axis (somersault), frontal plane with sagittal axis (cartwheel), transverse plane with longitudinal axis (twist).
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Physical Education C550QS specification — Eduqas (2016)