GCSE PE (AQA) Notes – Movement Analysis
These notes are written in a student-friendly style but with enough detail to achieve top
marks. They are designed as if you are tutoring someone else through the Movement
Analysis topic in GCSE PE (AQA).
1. The Basics of Movement Analysis
Movement analysis is about understanding how the body moves, which muscles are
involved, and how the skeleton and joints allow these movements. It’s especially useful in
sport because it helps explain performance, technique, and injury prevention.
2. Levers in the Body
Levers are rigid structures (bones) that rotate around a pivot (joint). They allow the body to
move efficiently.
Key parts of a lever system:
• Fulcrum (joint – the pivot point)
• Effort (muscle contraction)
• Load (resistance to be moved, e.g. body weight, equipment)
Types of levers:
• 1st Class Lever: Fulcrum in the middle (e.g. neck – nodding the head).
• 2nd Class Lever: Load in the middle (e.g. ankle – standing on tiptoes). Provides mechanical
advantage.
• 3rd Class Lever: Effort in the middle (most common in the body, e.g. elbow – bicep curl).
Provides speed and range of motion.
3. Planes of Movement
Planes are imaginary lines that divide the body and describe movements:
• Sagittal Plane – divides left and right. Movements: flexion/extension (e.g. sprinting,
kicking a ball).
• Frontal Plane – divides front and back. Movements: abduction/adduction (e.g. star jumps,
side steps).
• Transverse Plane – divides top and bottom. Movements: rotation (e.g. discus throw, golf
swing).
4. Axes of Rotation
Axes are imaginary lines that the body rotates around:
• Longitudinal Axis – runs head to toe (e.g. spins in ice skating).
• Transverse Axis – runs left to right (e.g. forward roll, somersault).
• Frontal Axis – runs front to back (e.g. cartwheel).
These notes are written in a student-friendly style but with enough detail to achieve top
marks. They are designed as if you are tutoring someone else through the Movement
Analysis topic in GCSE PE (AQA).
1. The Basics of Movement Analysis
Movement analysis is about understanding how the body moves, which muscles are
involved, and how the skeleton and joints allow these movements. It’s especially useful in
sport because it helps explain performance, technique, and injury prevention.
2. Levers in the Body
Levers are rigid structures (bones) that rotate around a pivot (joint). They allow the body to
move efficiently.
Key parts of a lever system:
• Fulcrum (joint – the pivot point)
• Effort (muscle contraction)
• Load (resistance to be moved, e.g. body weight, equipment)
Types of levers:
• 1st Class Lever: Fulcrum in the middle (e.g. neck – nodding the head).
• 2nd Class Lever: Load in the middle (e.g. ankle – standing on tiptoes). Provides mechanical
advantage.
• 3rd Class Lever: Effort in the middle (most common in the body, e.g. elbow – bicep curl).
Provides speed and range of motion.
3. Planes of Movement
Planes are imaginary lines that divide the body and describe movements:
• Sagittal Plane – divides left and right. Movements: flexion/extension (e.g. sprinting,
kicking a ball).
• Frontal Plane – divides front and back. Movements: abduction/adduction (e.g. star jumps,
side steps).
• Transverse Plane – divides top and bottom. Movements: rotation (e.g. discus throw, golf
swing).
4. Axes of Rotation
Axes are imaginary lines that the body rotates around:
• Longitudinal Axis – runs head to toe (e.g. spins in ice skating).
• Transverse Axis – runs left to right (e.g. forward roll, somersault).
• Frontal Axis – runs front to back (e.g. cartwheel).
