Movement Analysis in AQA GCSE PE

Lever

A lever is a rigid structure (bone) that rotates around a fixed point (joint) to create movement.

Fulcrum (F)

The joint.

Load (L)

The weight/resistance.

Effort (E)

The force (muscle contraction).

1st Class Lever

F in middle (E-F-L); Example in Sport: Heading a football; Mechanical Advantage: Depends.

2nd Class Lever

L in middle (F-L-E); Example in Sport: Plantarflexion at ankle (tiptoe); Mechanical Advantage: Yes - powerful.

3rd Class Lever

E in middle (F-E-L); Example in Sport: Bicep curl / kicking ball; Mechanical Advantage: No - fast, large range.

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left & right; Movement Types: Flexion/Extension; Sport Example: Sprinting, squat.

Frontal Plane

Divides body into front & back; Movement Types: Abduction/Adduction; Sport Example: Star jump, side lunge.

Transverse Plane

Divides body into top & bottom; Movement Types: Rotation; Sport Example: Tennis serve, golf swing.

Longitudinal Axis

Head to toe; Movement Direction: Rotational (twisting); Sport Example: Pirouette, ice spin.

Transverse Axis

Side to side; Movement Direction: Forward/backward; Sport Example: Somersault.

Frontal Axis

Front to back; Movement Direction: Side-to-side; Sport Example: Cartwheel.

Hinge Joint

Example: Knee, elbow; Movement Allowed: Flexion, extension; Sport Example: Sprinting, push-up.

Ball & Socket Joint

Example: Shoulder, hip; Movement Allowed: All directions (inc. rotation); Sport Example: Tennis serve, swimming stroke.

Pivot Joint

Example: Neck; Movement Allowed: Rotation; Sport Example: Looking left/right in football.

Condyloid Joint

Example: Wrist; Movement Allowed: Flexion, extension, circumduction; Sport Example: Netball pass.

Basketball Jump Shot

Lever: 3rd class (shoulder and elbow); Plane: Sagittal (elbow flexion/extension); Axis: Transverse (jumping vertically); Muscles: Triceps extend elbow, quadriceps extend knee.

Football Kick

Lever: 3rd class (hip and knee joints); Plane: Sagittal (hip/knee extension), Transverse (hip rotation); Axis: Longitudinal (rotation during kick); Muscles: Quadriceps extend knee; hip flexors bring leg forward.

Cartwheel (Gymnastics)

Plane: Frontal (side-to-side movement); Axis: Frontal (rotating over the side); Joint: Shoulder and wrist joints allow movement and balance; Muscles: Deltoids, triceps, core stabilisers.

What is a Lever in the Body?

A lever in the body is a bone that moves around a fulcrum (joint) when muscles apply effort (force) to move a load (resistance).

Memory Hack for Levers

1 - FLE; 2 - FLE; 3 - FEL; That's the order of Fulcrum, Load, Effort in each lever.

1st Class Lever

Heading a football

Fulcrum (1st Class Lever)

Neck joint

Effort (1st Class Lever)

Neck extensor muscles

Load (1st Class Lever)

Weight of the head

2nd Class Lever

Taking off for a jump

Fulcrum (2nd Class Lever)

Ball of the foot (ankle)

Load (2nd Class Lever)

Body weight

Effort (2nd Class Lever)

Gastrocnemius (calf muscle)

3rd Class Lever

Bicep curl

Fulcrum (3rd Class Lever)

Elbow joint

Effort (3rd Class Lever)

Biceps contracting

Load (3rd Class Lever)

Dumbbell in hand

Mechanical Advantage (MA)

Formula: MA = Effort Arm ÷ Load Arm

Efficient power (2nd class levers)

If MA > 1

Less efficient, but faster movement (3rd class levers)

If MA < 1

Flexion

Decreasing angle at a joint

Extension

Increasing angle at a joint

Abduction

Moving a limb away from the midline

Adduction

Moving a limb towards the midline

Rotation

Circular movement around a joint

Circumduction

Circular movement at ball & socket joints

Plantarflexion

Pointing toes (ankle movement)

Dorsiflexion

Lifting toes up

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left and right

Frontal Plane

Divides body into front and back

Transverse Plane

Divides body into top and bottom

Frontal Axis

Runs front to back (side to side rotation)

Transverse Axis

Runs side to side (across the body)

Longitudinal Axis

Runs top to bottom (head to toe)