Understanding how your body moves is crucial for PE and...
Physical Education330 views·Updated 2 Sept 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Planes, Axes, and Levers in PE GCSE
elise@eliselouise
1
of 2
Planes of Movement
Your body moves in three different planes of movement - think of them as invisible slices through your body. Each plane allows specific types of movement that you use in every sport.
The sagittal plane divides your body into left and right sides. Movements here include flexion (bending) and extension (straightening) - like doing bicep curls or sit-ups. This is probably the most common plane you'll use in the gym.
The frontal plane splits your body into front and back sections. Here you get adduction (bringing limbs towards your body) and abduction (moving them away). Star jumps and cartwheels are perfect examples of frontal plane movements.
The transverse plane cuts your body horizontally into top and bottom halves. This plane handles all rotation movements - like pivoting in netball or swinging a golf club. These rotational movements are essential for generating power in most sports.
Quick Tip: Remember the planes by thinking: sagittal = splits sides, frontal = front/back, transverse = top/bottom!
2
of 2
Lever Systems
Your body is basically a collection of levers working together to create movement. Every lever has four key parts: the lever arm (your bones), fulcrum (joints), effort (muscles), and load (what you're moving).
First class levers have the fulcrum between the effort and load - like a seesaw. In football, your head acts as a first-class lever when heading the ball. These can provide either mechanical advantage or disadvantage depending on positioning.
Second class levers put the load between the fulcrum and effort, like a wheelbarrow. Calf raises are the perfect example - your toes are the fulcrum, your body weight is the load, and your calf muscles provide the effort. These always give you a mechanical advantage.
Third class levers place the effort between the fulcrum and load. Bicep curls demonstrate this perfectly - your elbow is the fulcrum, your bicep provides effort, and the weight is the load. These create a mechanical disadvantage but allow for greater speed and range of movement.
Remember: Calculate mechanical advantage using load divided by effort - the higher the number, the easier the movement!
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Physical Education330 views·Updated 2 Sept 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Planes, Axes, and Levers in PE GCSE
elise@eliselouise
Understanding how your body moves is crucial for PE and sports performance. This covers the three planes of movement and lever systems that make every athletic action possible.
1
of 2
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Planes of Movement
Your body moves in three different planes of movement - think of them as invisible slices through your body. Each plane allows specific types of movement that you use in every sport.
The sagittal plane divides your body into left and right sides. Movements here include flexion (bending) and extension (straightening) - like doing bicep curls or sit-ups. This is probably the most common plane you'll use in the gym.
The frontal plane splits your body into front and back sections. Here you get adduction (bringing limbs towards your body) and abduction (moving them away). Star jumps and cartwheels are perfect examples of frontal plane movements.
The transverse plane cuts your body horizontally into top and bottom halves. This plane handles all rotation movements - like pivoting in netball or swinging a golf club. These rotational movements are essential for generating power in most sports.
Quick Tip: Remember the planes by thinking: sagittal = splits sides, frontal = front/back, transverse = top/bottom!
2
of 2Sign up to see the content. It's free!
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Lever Systems
Your body is basically a collection of levers working together to create movement. Every lever has four key parts: the lever arm (your bones), fulcrum (joints), effort (muscles), and load (what you're moving).
First class levers have the fulcrum between the effort and load - like a seesaw. In football, your head acts as a first-class lever when heading the ball. These can provide either mechanical advantage or disadvantage depending on positioning.
Second class levers put the load between the fulcrum and effort, like a wheelbarrow. Calf raises are the perfect example - your toes are the fulcrum, your body weight is the load, and your calf muscles provide the effort. These always give you a mechanical advantage.
Third class levers place the effort between the fulcrum and load. Bicep curls demonstrate this perfectly - your elbow is the fulcrum, your bicep provides effort, and the weight is the load. These create a mechanical disadvantage but allow for greater speed and range of movement.
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