What Is The Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement

In today’s blog, you’ll learn the Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement and why you need to know this for your L3 Anatomy and Physiology Exam

You’ll discover:

  • Why FITPROs find the body in motion hard to revise
  • 7-minute video tutorial explaining Is The Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement
  • What are the three planes of movement and the three axis of movement?
  • Mock questions to test your knowledge
  • How to learn and remember complex anatomy

Why FITPROs find the Body In Motion hard to revise

The Body In Motion is notoriously claimed to be one of the hardest modules within the Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology syllabus, so you are not alone if you find this area difficult to understand.

If you are learning via reading, then the 2-dimensional images make it hard to understand the 3-dimensional body and movement.

Although you might not actually be quoting the plane or axis of movement with your clients, the knowledge of this, allows you to understand movement mechanics.

This will improve your ability to plan sessions for your client and encourage your client to move efficiently

7-minute video tutorial explaining Is The Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement

What Is The Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement

What are the three planes of movement?

We have three planes of movement:

Sagittal – this includes forward and backward movements like flexion and extension, squatting, lunging walking etc.

Frontal – this includes side to side movements like adduction and abduction, lateral raise, pull ups etc

Transverse – this includes rotation and twisting movements like pronation and supination or internal and external rotation.

What are the three axis of movement?

The Axis of Movement is the invisible straight line that our joints move around.

We also have three of these:

Medial-Lateral Axis – This is where the invisible straight line goes side to side, so from the medial edge to the lateral edge of the joint.

Anterior-Posterior Axis – This is where the invisible straight line goes front to back, so from the anterior surface to the posterior surface of the joint.

Longitudinal Axis – This is where the invisible straight line goes top to bottom, so down the length of the joint.

What Is The Difference Between Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement

Planes of Movement and Axis of Movement relate to each other

READ THE FOLLOWING VERY CAREFULLY AND TAKE NOTE.

  • Sagittal Plane movements occur around a Medial-Lateral Axis
  • Frontal Plane movements occur around an Anterior-Posterior Axis
  • Transverse Plane Movements occur around a longitudinal Axis.

In summary:

  • Axis and planes of movement are different, however, the certainly relate. 
  • This module of the “Body In Motion” will come up in your Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology exam. 
  • Knowing the difference between axis and planes of movements will be key as you can expect 4 to 6 exam questions around this module.

Test your knowledge with today’s body in motion mock questions:

[NOTE: The answers are below the 3rd questions]

Q1: A frontal raise action occurs around what axis of movement?

A. Frontal
B. Anterior-Posterior
C. Sagittal
D. Medial-Lateral

Q2: All movements that move around a Longitudinal axis of movement, occur in which plane of movement?

A. Transverse
B. Frontal
C. Sagittal
D. Latitudinal

Q3: Adduction and Abduction of the Hips occur around which axis of movement?

A. Longitudinal
B. Anterior-Posterior
C. Medial-Lateral
D. Sagittal

Answers to the mock questions are :

Question 1= D, Question 2 = A, Question 3 = B

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