Which type of movement primarily occurs in the sagittal plane?

The correct answer focuses on flexion and extension as the primary movements that occur in the sagittal plane. The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves and allows for movements that move forward and backward.

Flexion is the action of bending a joint, which decreases the angle between two body parts. For example, bending the elbow to bring the hand toward the shoulder is a flexion movement occurring in the sagittal plane. Extension, on the other hand, is the opposite action, increasing the angle between body parts, such as straightening the arm after a flexion.

Both flexion and extension are critical for many functional movements, such as walking, running, and lifting. These movements occur along the sagittal plane, which is central to exercises and activities that involve front and back movement patterns.

The other options refer to movements that do not primarily occur in the sagittal plane. Abduction and adduction happen in the frontal plane, affecting the lateral movement of body parts away from (abduction) or toward (adduction) the midline. Rotation pertains to movement around a central axis and is seen in the transverse plane, which enables turning movements of the body. Thus, flexion and extension specifically align with the characteristics of