Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS BIOMECHANICS
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The frontal plane is also vertical and passes from left to right, dividing the body into posterior
and anterior halves, as in Figure 1.1(b). It is also known as the coronal or the mediolateral plane.
The horizontal plane divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) halves, as in
Figure 1.1(c). It is also known as the transverse plane.
The sagittal axis (Figure 1.1(b)) passes horizontally from posterior to anterior and is formed by
the intersection of the sagittal and horizontal planes.
The frontal axis (Figure 1.1(a)) passes horizontally from left to right and is formed by the
intersection of the frontal and horizontal planes.
The vertical or longitudinal axis (Figure 1.1(c)) passes vertically from inferior to superior and is
formed by the intersection of the sagittal and frontal planes.
The movements of body segments are usually defined from the fundamental (Figure 1.2(a)) or
anatomical (Figure 1.2(b)) reference postures – or positions – demonstrated by the athlete in
Figure 1.2. Note that the fundamental position is similar to a ‘stand to attention’, as is the
anatomical position, except that the palms face forwards in the latter.
Figure 1.1 Cardinal planes and axes of movement: (a) sagittal plane and frontal axis; (b) frontal plane and sagittal axis;
(c) horizontal plane and vertical axis.