Lower-Body Movement Analysis

NSW PDHPE Stage 6 — The Body and Mind in Motion

Name:

Date:

Movement Selected:

📋 Part 1: Movement Overview

🔍 Case Study Model — The Squat (Upward/Concentric Phase):

During the upward phase of a squat, the hip joint extends and the knee joint extends. The gluteus maximus acts as the agonist at the hip (concentric contraction), while the hip flexors act as the antagonist. At the knee, the quadriceps are the agonist (concentric contraction) and the hamstrings are the antagonist. The core muscles act as stabilisers to maintain an upright trunk position.

1. Which lower-body movement have you selected to analyse? Circle your choice or write your own.

Squat

Lunge

Bulgarian Squat

Other: _______________________

2. Briefly describe your selected movement. What does it involve and how is it performed?

🦵 Part 2: Joint Actions and Muscle Analysis (Upward Phase)

3. What joint movements occur at the hip and knee during the upward phase of your selected movement?

Hip joint: _______________________________________________

Knee joint: _______________________________________________

4. Identify the agonist and antagonist muscle groups acting at the hip during the upward phase. Name the type of contraction the agonist performs.

Agonist muscle: _________________________

Contraction type: _________________________

Antagonist muscle: _________________________

5. Identify the agonist and antagonist muscle groups acting at the knee during the upward phase. Name the type of contraction the agonist performs.

Agonist muscle: _________________________ Contraction type: _________________________

Antagonist muscle: _________________________

6. What type of contraction does the antagonist muscle perform during the upward phase? Explain why.

7. Name one stabiliser muscle involved in your movement and describe its role.

Stabiliser muscle: _________________________

Its role: ___________________________________________________________________________

8. During the downward phase of your movement, what type of contraction would the agonist muscles at the knee perform? Explain your reasoning.

Concentric — the muscle shortens as it contracts

Eccentric — the muscle lengthens as it contracts

Isometric — the muscle length stays the same

Explain your choice:

9. How does understanding muscle contractions and agonist/antagonist relationships help athletes improve performance or prevent injury? Give one practical example from sport or physical activity.