Types of Movement in Sport (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))
Revision Note
Author
Ruth BrindleExpertise
Biology
Basic Movements in Sport
Different types of movement in sport can be grouped into different categories:
Flexion/extension
Abduction/adduction
Rotation
Circumduction
Plantar flexion/dorsiflexion
These types of movement are covered in more detail in The Structure & Functions of the Musculoskeletal System topic
Examples of types of movement in sport
Push-ups
A push-up is divided into two stages:
Pushing up
The elbow joint straightens to lift the body during extension
Lowering down
The elbow joint bends back to the original position during flexion
Push-up movement diagram
Extension of the elbow joint occurs during a push up and flexion occurs during lowering down
Football throw-in
When throwing a ball onto the pitch the player should hold the ball with both hands and start with it behind the head
The ball is then thrown from behind and over the head using both hands; this movement requires the extension of the elbow joint
Football throw-in movement diagram
Extension of the elbow joint occurs during the throw-in
Running
While running movements occur at the hip, knee, and ankle joints
When the performer's foot contacts the ground, the performer propels themselves forward; this is known as the drive phase of running:
The knee joint straightens during extension
The hip extends
The ankle joint is in plantar flexion
Following the drive phase, there is the recovery phase; the leg is brought forward to initiate another stride:
The knee joint bends in a flexion movement
The hip flexes
The ankle joint adjusts in a dorsiflexion movement
When one leg is in the drive phase, the other leg is in the recovery phase
Running movement diagram
Movement in the hip, knee and ankle are different in the drive phase and the recovery phase of running
Kicking
Kicking is similar to the drive phase of running
The leg swings backwards in preparation, then it swings forwards and straightens as the foot contacts the ball
The knee joint moves from bent to straight in an extension movement
The hip is in flexion
The ankle joint is in plantar flexion throughout the whole movement
Kicking movement diagram
In a kick the knee extends whilst the hip flexes and the ankle remains in plantar flexion
Standing vertical jumps
In a standing vertical jump the performer stands with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent
They then propel themselves vertically upwards through the hips, knees and ankles
The hip extends
There is extension in the knee joints
Plantar flexion occurs at the ankle joint
Standing vertical jump movement diagram
Vertical jumps involve extension in the knee and hip and plantar flexion at the ankle
Star jumps
When performing a star jump the performer should start with feet together and arms by their side
They then jump vertically into the air at the same time as spreading legs and arms to the sides to make a star shape
This is abduction at the shoulder and the arms and legs move away from the body
As the performer descends back to the ground the arms move back to their side and the legs move back together
This is adduction at the shoulder and the arms and legs move towards the body
Star jump movement diagram
Abduction and adduction of the arms and legs occurs during a star jump
Squats
In a squat, the performer should stand with feet shoulder-width apart
There is a downward and an upward phase
The downward phase begins by bending at the hips and knees simultaneously to lower the body until the thighs are at least parallel to the ground
This gives a flexion movement in the hips
The knee joint is in flexion
Slight dorsiflexion is seen in the ankle joints
In the upward phase, the performer pushes back up through the heels and midfoot to the starting position
The hips extend
The knee joints extend
Slight plantar flexion occurs at the ankle joints
Squat movement diagram
Squats involve a downward and an upward phase which show different movement types in the hip, knee and ankle
Cricket bowling
In cricket, the bowler runs up to the bowling crease and swings the dominant arm backward and then forward in a circular motion
This leads to rotation movement at the shoulder joint
Extension also occurs at the shoulder joint
Circumduction occurs at the shoulder and the arm moves in a circle
Cricket bowling movement diagram
Bowling in cricket uses rotation and extension movements in the shoulder, and circumduction in the arm
Swimming front crawl
When swimming front crawl the swimmer lies face down in the water in a streamlined position
The stroke is initiated when one arm reaches forward and into the water
The arm then pulls back, making a sweeping movement in the water for propulsion
The arm goes through a range of movement types:
When the arm bends upwards there is a flexion at the elbow
Reaching forward involves extension at the elbow
Abduction occurs at the shoulder and the arm sweeps away from the body
Adduction occurs at the shoulder and the arm pulls back towards the body
Circumduction at the shoulder means that the arm carries out a circular movement
Front crawl swimming movement diagram
Swimming front crawl involves circumduction in order to maximise propulsion
Exam Tip
You should be able to apply your knowledge to identify different types of movement in a variety of different sports
You've read 0 of your 0 free revision notes
Get unlimited access
to absolutely everything:
- Downloadable PDFs
- Unlimited Revision Notes
- Topic Questions
- Past Papers
- Model Answers
- Videos (Maths and Science)
Did this page help you?