Which pairing correctly matches the primary plane of movement with a representative exercise?

Which pairing correctly matches the primary plane of movement with a representative exercise?

• A. Sagittal plane — Lateral lunge; Frontal plane — Squat; Transverse plane — Cable woodchoppers
• B. Sagittal plane — Side lunge; Frontal plane — Cable woodchoppers; Transverse plane — Squat
• C. Sagittal plane — Squat; Frontal plane — Lateral lunge; Transverse plane — Cable woodchoppers
• D. Sagittal plane — Cable woodchoppers; Frontal plane — Squat; Transverse plane — Lateral lunge

Answer: (C)

Movements are classified by the direction of the dominant action relative to the body: the sagittal plane covers forward and backward motion (flexion and extension), the frontal plane covers side-to-side movement (abduction and adduction), and the transverse plane covers twisting or rotating motions around the spine. A squat primarily involves bending at the hips and knees, which is a sagittal-plane action, so it fits best with the sagittal plane. A lateral lunge moves you sideways and mainly involves hip abduction and adduction, a frontal-plane pattern. Cable woodchoppers rotate the torso around the vertical axis, a twisting action that is characteristic of the transverse plane. Therefore, the pairing of squat with sagittal, lateral lunge with frontal, and cable woodchoppers with transverse accurately matches the primary planes of movement.

Movements are classified by the direction of the dominant action relative to the body: the sagittal plane covers forward and backward motion (flexion and extension), the frontal plane covers side-to-side movement (abduction and adduction), and the transverse plane covers twisting or rotating motions around the spine.

A squat primarily involves bending at the hips and knees, which is a sagittal-plane action, so it fits best with the sagittal plane. A lateral lunge moves you sideways and mainly involves hip abduction and adduction, a frontal-plane pattern. Cable woodchoppers rotate the torso around the vertical axis, a twisting action that is characteristic of the transverse plane.

Therefore, the pairing of squat with sagittal, lateral lunge with frontal, and cable woodchoppers with transverse accurately matches the primary planes of movement.