Anatomical position, planes and movement

· Anatomical position = standard reference position used to describe the body: standing upright, facing forward, arms by sides, palms facing forward, feet forward.
· Always describe location and movement relative to anatomical position, even if the performer is moving or upside down.
· The skeleton is divided into:
· Axial skeleton = skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum; main function = support, protection and posture.
· Appendicular skeleton = shoulder girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle and lower limbs; main function = movement and locomotion.
· In exams, use precise anatomical language rather than everyday descriptions, e.g. “the knee extends” not “the leg straightens”.

The appendicular skeleton includes the limbs and girdles, which are mainly responsible for movement. This helps students distinguish movement-related bones from the axial skeleton. Use it to link skeletal structure to sporting actions such as running, throwing and jumping. Source

The axial skeleton forms the central supporting framework of the body. It protects key organs and provides posture and stability. Compare it with the appendicular skeleton to explain different skeletal functions in movement. Source

Positional terminology

· Superior = above or toward the head. Example: the shoulder is superior to the hip.
· Inferior = below or toward the feet. Example: the knee is inferior to the hip.
· Anterior = front of the body. Example: the sternum is anterior to the spine.
· Posterior = back of the body. Example: the spine is posterior to the sternum.
· Medial = toward the midline. Example: the nose is medial to the ears.
· Lateral = away from the midline. Example: the shoulders are lateral to the sternum.
· Proximal = closer to the point of attachment or trunk. Example: the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
· Distal = farther from the point of attachment or trunk. Example: the fingers are distal to the elbow.
· Intermediate = between two structures. Example: the collarbone is intermediate between the sternum and shoulder.

This diagram shows the main directional terms used to describe relative body positions. These terms are essential for accurate exam answers and practical movement analysis. Use the arrows to practise comparing two body parts precisely. Source

Anatomical planes and axes

· Sagittal plane = divides the body into left and right sections. Common movements: flexion and extension.
· Frontal plane = divides the body into front and back sections. Common movements: abduction and adduction.
· Transverse plane = divides the body into upper and lower sections. Common movements: rotation, horizontal flexion and horizontal extension.
· Axis = imaginary line around which rotation occurs.
· Movements occur in one or more planes, and rotations occur around one or more axes.
· Exam tip: identify the joint action, then match it to the plane of movement.

This diagram shows the major planes used to analyse sporting movements. Sagittal, frontal and transverse planes help classify how joints move. Use it to connect actions such as running, jumping and twisting to the correct plane. Source

Core movement terms

· Flexion = decreases the angle at a joint. Example: bending the elbow during a biceps curl.
· Extension = increases the angle at a joint. Example: straightening the knee when kicking.
· Abduction = movement away from the midline. Example: lifting the arm sideways.
· Adduction = movement toward the midline. Example: lowering the arm back to the side.
· Rotation = bone turns around its longitudinal axis. Example: turning the head left or right.
· Circumduction = circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. Example: arm circle at the shoulder.
· Horizontal flexion = movement of a limb across the body in the transverse plane. Example: arm moving across the chest.
· Horizontal extension = movement of a limb away from the body in the transverse plane. Example: arm moving back from across the chest.

These diagrams show how anatomical movement terms are applied to real joint actions. They are useful for distinguishing opposite movement pairs such as flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. Practise naming the joint action before describing the sporting movement. Source

Specialist movement terms

· Pronation = rotation of the forearm so the palm faces down/posteriorly in anatomical position.
· Supination = rotation of the forearm so the palm faces up/anteriorly in anatomical position.
· Protraction = movement of a body part forward. Example: scapulae moving forward during a punch.
· Retraction = movement of a body part backward. Example: scapulae pulled back during rowing.
· Elevation = movement upward. Example: shrugging shoulders.
· Depression = movement downward. Example: lowering shoulders after a shrug.
· Opposition = thumb moves across the palm to touch a fingertip.
· Reposition = thumb returns from opposition to anatomical position.
· Inversion = sole of the foot turns inward/medially.
· Eversion = sole of the foot turns outward/laterally.
· Plantarflexion = toes point downward, increasing the angle at the ankle. Example: take-off in a jump.
· Dorsiflexion = toes move upward toward the shin. Example: landing preparation or heel strike.

Applying movement terms to sport

· A squat mainly involves hip and knee flexion on the way down, then hip and knee extension on the way up.
· A jumping take-off includes plantarflexion at the ankle, extension at the knee and extension at the hip.
· A cartwheel or star jump includes abduction of the limbs away from the midline.
· A tennis forehand or golf swing involves substantial rotation in the transverse plane.
· A push-up lowering phase involves elbow flexion; pushing back up involves elbow extension.
· A rowing action involves scapular retraction during the pull and protraction during the return.