AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 21

2 marks · Medium difficulty · Short Answer

Identify the plane and axis of movement at the hip when performing a star jump.

Practise this question

Question

Figure 5 shows two illustrations of a person performing a star jump: first standing upright with arms at their sides and legs together, and second jumping in mid-air with arms raised outwards and upwards and legs abducted wide apart. Below the illustration, the question asks to identify the plane and axis of movement at the hip during this action, with spaces provided to write 'Plane' and 'Axis'.
Question text

21 Figure 5 shows an individual performing a star jump.

Figure 5

Identify the plane and axis of movement at the hip when the individual in Figure 5 is

performing a star jump.

[2 marks]

Plane

Axis

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for question 21 stating: Award one mark for each of the following points up to a maximum of two marks: Frontal plane (1), Sagittal axis (1). Total 2 marks.

21 Figure 5 shows an individual performing a star jump.

Figure 5

Identify the plane and axis of movement at the hip when the individual in Figure 5 is

performing a star jump.

[2 marks]

Marks for this question: AO2 = 2

Award one mark for each of the following points up to a maximum of two marks.

• Frontal plane (1)

• Sagittal axis (1)

Maximum 2 marks

How to answer it

Planes and Axes of Movement: The Star Jump

What this question tests

This question assesses your AO2 application skills in movement analysis. You need to identify the correct anatomical plane (the 2D surface movement occurs along) and corresponding axis (the imaginary line around which the body rotates) at the hip joint during a star jump.

Question 2.1 • 2 Marks (AO2)

Identify the plane and axis of movement at the hip

✅ Correct Mark Scheme Answers

  • Plane: Frontal plane [1 mark]
  • Axis: Sagittal axis [1 mark]

Note: Each correct identification gives 1 mark directly. No explanations are needed for this question.

💡 Key Knowledge

A star jump involves hip abduction (jumping out) and adduction (returning together):

  • Frontal plane: Divides the body into front and back. All side-to-side (lateral) movements, such as abduction and adduction, occur here.
  • Sagittal axis: An imaginary line running horizontally from front to back through the belly button/hips. Lateral movements rotate around this pin.

🧠 Exam Technique: Pairing Planes & Axes

Planes and axes always run perpendicular to each other. Memorise these fixed pairings for GCSE PE:

Movement Type Plane Axis
Abduction / Adduction (e.g. Star Jump, Cartwheel) Frontal Sagittal
Flexion / Extension (e.g. Somersault, Running) Sagittal Transverse
Rotation (e.g. Full spin, Discus throw) Transverse Vertical / Longitudinal

❌ Common Errors to Avoid

  • Mixing up Plane and Axis: Writing "Sagittal" for Plane and "Frontal" for Axis. Remember: Frontal Plane pairs with Sagittal Axis.
  • Guessing Transverse: Students often guess transverse plane because they think jumping is multi-directional. However, the movement is purely sideways (lateral abduction/adduction).
  • Confusing Sagittal Plane with Sagittal Axis: The sagittal plane allows forward/backward movements (flexion/extension), whereas the sagittal axis pierces front-to-back allowing side-to-side tilting.

Topics

3.1 The human body and movement in physical activity and sport · 3.1.2 Movement analysis

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physical Education examination, Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.