Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) · Spec C1 2.2.1 and C1 2.2.2
Planes and axes of movement
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- A plane is an imaginary flat surface that cuts the body. The sagittal plane splits it left and right. The frontal plane splits it front and back. The transverse plane splits it top and bottom.
- An axis is a line the body turns around. The frontal axis runs side to side. The sagittal axis runs front to back. The vertical axis runs top to bottom.
- Plane and axis pair up: sagittal plane with frontal axis (a somersault), frontal plane with sagittal axis (a cartwheel), transverse plane with vertical axis (a full twist jump).
Key terms
- Sagittal plane
- Divides the body into left and right halves. Forward and backward movements happen here.
- Frontal plane
- Divides the body into front and back halves. Side-to-side movements happen here.
- Transverse plane
- Divides the body into top and bottom halves. Twisting movements happen here.
- Frontal axis
- A line through the body from side to side.
- Sagittal axis
- A line through the body from front to back.
- Vertical axis
- A line through the body from top to bottom.
Common mistakes
- Swapping the plane and the axis for a somersault. The plane is sagittal and the axis is frontal.
- Mixing up the frontal plane and the frontal axis. They are different things.
- Giving a plane when the question asks for an axis.
Exam tip
Learn the three pairs as a set. If a question gives the plane, the axis is the one that points through the plane. Check whether the question asks for the plane, the axis or both.
Free practice questions
6 questions, 10 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A gymnast performs a tucked somersault. In which plane does the movement happen?
- Question 2 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A gymnast performs a tucked somersault. About which axis does the body rotate?
- Question 3 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?
- Question 4 · True or false[1 mark]
True or false: a cartwheel happens in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis.
- Question 5 · Matching[3 marks]
Match each skill to the plane it happens in.
- Question 6 · Matching[3 marks]
Match each axis to the direction it runs through the body.