What is an example of an exercise performed along the sagittal plane?

The squat is an example of an exercise performed along the sagittal plane because it primarily involves forward and backward movement. The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves, and exercises in this plane involve movements such as flexion and extension. During a squat, the hips flex as the body lowers down and then extend as the body rises back up, demonstrating the characteristic movement patterns of the sagittal plane.

In contrast, exercises like jumping jacks and side lunges involve lateral movements, placing them in the frontal or transverse planes. Jumping jacks open and close the limbs sideways, while side lunges move laterally, emphasizing a different motion that doesn't align with the sagittal plane's characteristics. Push-ups have a component of forward-backward movement, but they predominantly operate in a horizontal plane due to the position of the body relative to the ground during the exercise. Thus, the squat stands out clearly as a representative of the sagittal plane movement.