Analysis of movement

Introduction

To understand how to improve technically the athlete or coach must understand the component parts of the technical model and the movements that contribute to successful performance

Content

  • Joints and articulations
  • Planes and axes of rotation
  • Movement patterns
  • Levers

Pivotal kick – Using the information provided, analyse the 'kickers' performance

  1. The bones articulating at the knee and elbow

  2. The classification of joint at the knee and elbow

  3. Planes of motion when kicking

  4. Identify the movements occurring at (both legs and arms)

  5. The classification of lever at the knee

Joints and Articulations:

Knowledge of the skeletal system and how it works helps us to understand movement and explains how skills are performed. The possible movements at each joint or articulation (where to or move bones meet) can help coaches understand to skill development and performance improvement.

Joints

Skeletal joints are classified according to their structural and functional (range and type of movement) characteristics.

Joints (structural classifications):

  • Fixed (Fibrous) - e.g. cranium
  • Cartilaginous - e.g. vertebrae
  • Synovial - e.g. shoulder. Knee

Synovial Joints

Most common joint in the human skeletal system, they have a joint cavity and ligaments hold the articulating bones together. These joints are freely moveable.

% of maximum rate of energy production

Synovial Joint Structure

  • Synovial cavity - a fluid filled space that separates the articulating bones
  • Synovial fluid - lubricates the joint and nourishes the articular cartilage
  • Articular cartilage - hyaline cartilage covers the articulating surfaces; reduces friction and acts as a shock absorber
  • Ligaments - connect bone to bone; stabilise the joint
  • Tendons - connect bone to muscle; enable movement

Types of Synovial Joints

Synovial Joint Structure Movement Example
Ball and socket Tri-axial, most mobile Flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, rotation, circumduction Hip
Shoulder
Hinge Uni-axial, one plane Flexion/extension Elbow
knee
Pivot Uni-axial, one plane Rotation Neck - atlanto-axial
Gliding Bones glide past each other Carpals, tarsals
Condyloid/ellipsoid Bi-axial – two planes Flexion/extension, abduction/adduction Wrist – radio-carpsals

Analysis of movement

In order to understand sporting performance we need to be able to describe the movement of the human body. Using the planes and axes of movement and joint actions we can describe performance and understand the way people move.

Planes of movement

Planes of Motion: There are 3 imaginary anatomical planes that intersect at the body’s centre of gravity dividing the body into equal portions

% of maximum rate of energy production

Most movements in sport occur in multiple planes. However, some movements are more planar (in one plane) than others.

When movement is in one plane, it means that no part of the body crosses from one side of the plane to the other during the movement.

Axes of motion

There are 3 imaginary anatomical axes that intersect at the body’s centre of gravity. In most sporting actions, movement is about more than one axis

Axes of motion

Movement Patterns

Using the planes and axes of movement and joint actions we can describe performance and understand the way people move.

Joint Movement Plane Axis Example
Hinge – Elbow Flexion/extension Sagittal Transverse Biceps curl
Ball and socket – Shoulder Flexion/extension Flexion – arms up Sagittal Transverse Line out jumping
Ball and socket - Shoulder Abduction –away, Adduction-toward Frontal Frontal cartwheel
Ball and socket – Shoulder Circumduction – combination of movements Frontal/Transverse Frontal/Transverse Bowling
Ball and socket - Shoulder Rotation - twisting Transverse Longitudinal Golf drive
Ball and socket - Shoulder Horizontal abduction/adduction Transverse Longitudinal Discus
Ellipsoid – Ankle Dorsiflexion-toes up, Planterflexion - pointed Sagittal Transverse Long jump or gymnastics
Ellipsoid – Wrist Pronation – palm down, Supination – palm up Sagittal Frontal Discus, Rolling ball

Levers

Levers allow us to create movement that is greater than the force applied. The skeleton forms a system of levers that allow us to move.

Functions of levers:

  • Increase the load that a given effort can move
  • Increase the speed at which the body moves

Levers are made up from three components:

  • Increase the load that a given effort can move
    • The point at which the lever rotates (pivots) around
  • Effort (force) - muscles
    • The location where the force (effort) is applied
  • Load (resistance)
    • The location of the load/weight that is being moved/lifted

There are three classifications of lever:

1st Order Lever e.g neck – heading the ball

Header

2nd Order Lever e.g. ankle – planter flexion

Netball

3rd Order Lever e.g. knee kicking a ball

This is the most common lever in the human body and increases the body’s ability to move quickly, however it is inefficient at applying force.

Football

Mechanical Advantage

Most levers in the body are 3rd class levers, this means:

  • There is a mechanical disadvantage
  • The load can be moved quickly
  • Therefore, if the arm is extended (resistance arm maximised) during bowling there is a greater speed at the resistance and the ball is released with a greater speed.

Quick Check

  • To understand how to improve technically the athlete or coach must understand the component parts of the technical model and the movements that contribute to successful performance
  • The possible movements at each joint or articulation (where to or move bones meet) can help coaches understand to skill development and performance improvement.
  • Synovial Joints - is the most common joint in the human skeletal system, they have a joint cavity and ligaments hold the articulating bones together. These joints are freely moveable.
  • There are 3 imaginary anatomical planes that intersect at the body’s centre of gravity dividing the body into equal portions; Sagittal, Frontal and Transverse.
  • There are 3 imaginary anatomical axes that intersect at the body’s centre of gravity.These are; transverse, frontal and longitudinal
  • Levers allow us to create movement that is greater than the force applied.
  • Most levers in the body are 3rd class levers, this means: