Introduction
In geometry, a plane is a flat, two-dimensional surface with no thickness that doesn’t exist in our three-dimensional world. Yet, the concept of a plane is applied in many fields, including computer graphics, mechanical engineering, medicine, and even sports. In this article, we’ll explore how planes are used in sports.
Planes in sports
Biomechanics
One scientific discipline closely connected to sports is biomechanics. This field studies how living organisms move. In sports, biomechanical analysis is essential for examining an athlete’s technique and performance. It also helps ensure that training is done in a way that minimizes the risk of injury.
Geometric planes in biomechanical analysis
Plane geometry plays a fundamental role in biomechanical analysis, as this type of analysis usually occurs in one or more geometric planes. There are three main planes involved:
- Sagittal plane (divides the body into left and right halves);
- Frontal plane (divides the body into front and back halves);
- Horizontal plane (divides the body into top and bottom halves).
Many human body movements occur in these three mutually perpendicular planes.
Case study: analyzing an athlete’s technique using geometric planes
Look at figures below, which shows the analysis of a long jump in the sagittal plane.
For long jump events, this type of analysis graphically represents key parameters that affect flight distance, such as take-off distance and landing distance. Studying an athlete’s movement in a geometric plane helps athletes, coaches, and biomechanics specialists evaluate body positions, draw reference points and lines, and measure distances. These insights enable them to make necessary corrections. Typically, this type of analysis in a geometric plane is done using video recordings.
Video
Many students and teachers prefer learning through short videos. We have created a video for students and teachers that explains this real-world application of geometric planes. It features engaging animations, a smooth flow, and easy-to-understand explanations. You can preview the video below.
Other applications
In addition to sports, the concept of a geometric plane is also widely used in medicine. For example, it plays a key role in treating spinal disorders and creating brain images using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Image: A series of MRI brain images shown in the sagittal plane.
Conclusion:
If you’re interested in athletic training or sports medicine and think this might be your future career, fundamental geometric concepts will be valuable for you. Sports are becoming more science-driven, and understanding these concepts—along with knowing how to apply them in real-life situations—will help you become an expert in the field.
References:
To ensure the accuracy of the information presented, we have used the following sources on biomechanical analysis in sports:
- Bartlett, R. (2014). Introduction to sports biomechanics: Analysing human movement patterns. Routledge.
- Arellano, C. J., & Kram, R. (2011). The effects of step width and arm swing on energetic cost and lateral balance during running. Journal of biomechanics, 44(7), 1291-1295.
- Van Oeveren, B. T., de Ruiter, C. J., Beek, P. J., & van Dieën, J. H. (2024). The biomechanics of running and running styles: a synthesis. Sports biomechanics, 23(4), 516-554.
Further reading:
If you’re interested in learning more about how fundamental geometry concepts are applied in real life, you might find the following article interesting: