Planes of Motion

To participate in individual or team sporting events has many rewards. The athletes that excel in these sporting events have obtained optimum neuro-muscle capabilities. One skill that sets them apart is their ability to function seamlessly in the transverse plane of motion.

All human motion functions within three planes. The sagittal plane represents the movement we can make in a forward and backward manner. Walking is a forward sagittal plane motion. Conversely, to take a step backward would represent a backward sagittal plane motion. The frontal plane is represented by our lateral motion as in sidestepping either to the right or to the left. Our rotational movements represent the transverse plane. Almost all-human movement involves the transverse plane. To step out at an angle to avoid a hazard in front of us or to turn to begin walking in a different direction involves a rotation on our stance leg to accomplish the task. These motions are not exclusive to our lower extremities; they are a necessary component in our upper extremity motion and functional core.

Cervical or neck tri-plane motion enables an infant to reposition itself from a prone to supine position long before the skill of crawling or walking. However, our fondest memories of motion are likely the first steps of a child, moving in forward sagittal plane. This was however most likely preceded by frontal motion as the child begins to stand with assistance with a stationary object. Frontal plane motion is demonstrated when movement occurs in a sideways fashion along the edge of a sofa or low-lying table. Transverse plane motion is established only after the child has the ability to balance and rotate on one lower extremity.

Muscle / tendon, ligament and interarticular joint injuries are often preceded by our loss of motion in the transverse plane. When one reports, “I twisted my ankle” or “I twisted my knee” the injured joint has been taken beyond the available motion of the transverse plane. Not always does the injured joint represent the primary restriction. If an injured ankle possessed the normal limits of transverse motion but there is a restriction at the knee or hip it may have been put into a position to exceed its limits. Similarly, a rotational injury to the knee may have been predisposed by a transverse motion restriction at the joint below, the ankle, or the joint above, the hip.

Another example of a common injury involving transverse plane motion occurs in the lower back. The lumbar spine is primarily designed for sagittal plane motion allowing more forward motion than backward sagittal motion. As one bends forward, if the joints below the hips, are restricted in forward sagittal motion, due primarily to restricted hamstring motion, the lumbar spine is asked to exceed its limit of motion. The compounding factor of transverse motion at the extreme limits of trunk flexion compromises the muscle / ligament integrity of the lower back often injured with the attempt to return to a standing position.

As we become less active later in life, our joint range of motion begins to decrease as we place less of a demand on our transverse motion and tend to become more sagittal plane dominate. Injuries often occur when we lose the ability to safely move to perform the desired task.

Prevention of this loss of joint motion can be accomplished with simple specific motion patterns for both the lower and upper extremities. When combining specific motion patterns of all extremities tri-pane motion can be accomplished through the core. Future articles will discuss these specific motion patterns.