Movement Analysis in Sport

Understanding the principles of levers, planes, and axes of movement is essential for analysing and improving sports performance. It helps athletes and coaches identify biomechanical factors that affect movement efficiency and technique.

Levers in Our Body:

Levers in the human body are formed by bones, joints, and muscles.

These levers play a crucial role in producing movement and exerting force during physical activities.

Types of Levers:

First-Class Lever:

Fulcrum: Located in the middle between the effort and resistance.

Example: Seesaw, neck muscles when lifting the head.

Second-Class Lever:

Load: Positioned in the middle between the fulcrum and the effort.

Example: Wheelbarrow, ankle joint when standing on tiptoes.

Third-Class Lever:

Effort: Placed in the middle between the fulcrum and the load.

Example: Biceps lifting a weight, elbow joint when flexing the arm.

Mechanical Advantage of Levers:

Mechanical Advantage (MA): Indicates the effectiveness of a lever system.

Formula: MA = Effort Arm Length ÷ Resistance Arm Length.

A higher mechanical advantage means the lever can exert more force with less effort.

Planes of Movement:

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right halves. Movements in this plane include flexion and extension.

Frontal Plane: Divides the body into front and back halves. Movements in this plane include abduction and adduction.

Transverse Plane: Divides the body into upper and lower halves. Movements in this plane include rotation.

Axes of Movement:

Transverse Axis (Horizontal Axis): Runs from side to side. Movements around this axis include rotation.

Sagittal Axis (Medial-Lateral Axis): Runs from front to back. Movements around this axis include flexion and extension.

Longitudinal Axis (Vertical Axis): Runs from top to bottom. Movements around this axis include abduction and adduction.

In aiding individuals to comprehend various movement patterns in sports, precise terminology is employed to distinctly identify the types of motions occurring, facilitating accurate analysis of the movement. It is important that you try to remember these terms for your exam.