Fundamentals of Movement, Motor Skills and Biomechanics
This domain tests fundamental movement skills, classification of motor skills, and basic biomechanics: force, levers, stability and projectile motion.
Core concepts
- Locomotor skills move the body from place to place: walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping.
- Non-locomotor skills are performed in place: bending, twisting, stretching, balancing.
- Manipulative skills involve objects: throwing, catching, striking, kicking, dribbling.
- Motor skills may be classified as gross or fine, open or closed, and simple or complex.
- Biomechanics: force changes motion; a larger base of support and a lower centre of gravity increase stability; levers have a fulcrum, load and effort.
- Lever classes: first - fulcrum between load and effort (seesaw); second - load between fulcrum and effort (wheelbarrow); third - effort between fulcrum and load (biceps curl).
Worked example
A wheelbarrow is loaded and lifted by the handles. Reasoning: the wheel axle is the fulcrum, the load in the tray lies between the wheel and the handles, and the effort is applied upward at the handles. Because the load is between the fulcrum and the effort, it is a second-class lever. This arrangement gives a mechanical advantage but requires the effort to move through a larger distance.
Traps that cost marks
- A seesaw is first class, not second class.
- A biceps curl is third class because the effort acts between the elbow and the hand.
- Stability is increased by lowering the centre of gravity and widening the base, not by raising the centre of gravity.
- Running is locomotor; balancing on one leg is non-locomotor.