Dr Tant - Biomechanics 101 - Planes of Motion

What is biomechanics of the golf swing?

Biomechanics is defined as the application of mechanical principles (physical laws of nature) in the study of the human body. The human body is composed of segments linked together at the joints. Muscles create a contraction to move the segments and create a motion. The fewer the links, the
simpler the motion. A golf swing is a very complex motion with numerous links that must be timed to create maximum power at contact.

It is very useful to describe segment and body movements in a plane of motion around an axis of rotation. I’m sure you have heard about the swing plane of the golf swing. There are three imaginary planes with an axis
running perpendicular to the plane.

The Medial-Lateral (ML) axis, from side to side direction, is perpendicular to the Sagittal plane, which divides the body or segment into right and left sides. Flexion and extension are primary movements.

The Anterior-Posterior axis, from front to back, is perpendicular to the Frontal plane, which divides the body into front and back halves. Abduction and adduction are primary movements.

The Longitudinal axis, from top to bottom, is perpendicular to the Transverse plane and divides the body into top and bottom halves. Rotation is the primary movement.

The golf swing is actually diagonal to the ground and does not completely fit into any of the three cardinal planes.

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