University of Technology Sydney

92542 Applied Biomechanics

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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 92521c Functional Anatomy AND 92512 Biomechanics of Human Motion
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject expands on previously learnt biomechanical principles integral to the study of human motion. Quantitative problems are further developed and a major biomechanical research project is conducted. The subject focuses on developing the practical skills required to scientifically analyse sport and exercise techniques, enhance performance and prevent injuries. The practical ability to analyse and evaluate human movement using biomechanics principles is a major component.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Identify, describe and critically analyse movements related to performance enhancement and injury prevention.
B. Determine the biomechanical principles related to physical performance, disability and disease.
C. Evaluate the limitations imposed by physical laws on human motion, equipment and the environment.
D. Apply video motion analysis techniques to investigate movement patterns.
E. Design, report and defend scientific research in health, sport and exercise in order to identify and solve problems.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Lead, manage and inspire within the fields of sport, exercise and health; (1.0)
  • Take personal, social and ethical responsibility for their contribution to sport, exercise and health (2.0)
  • Competently apply knowledge and skills within the sport, exercise and health professions (3.0)
  • Engage in research and critical thinking to integrate diverse knowledge and develop creative, effective and evidence-based solutions (4.0)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject incorporates a range of teaching and learning strategies to engage students with the content.

Interactive online modules allow students to engage with subject content in their own time. Online modules are designed to revise fundamental biomechanical principles, introduce more advanced biomechanical concepts, introduce movement analysis tools, and provide practical applications of the concepts and measurement tools. Content in online modules may include videos, written content and interactive activities.

Prior to laboratory sessions, students will be asked to complete a number of preparation activities which may include revising module content and preparing lab materials. These preparation activities are designed to prepare students for their face-to-face laboratory classes. Specific instructions and resources will be provided on Canvas each week.

Laboratory based classes will be conducted face-to-face and will include a variety of activities designed to reinforce fundamental concepts introduced in online modules, and develop practical skills associated with collecting data to assess kinematic and kinetic variables. Activities will include collection of biomechanical data using tools such as video camera, 3D motion capture systems, force plates, dynamometry, and electromyography; management and processing of raw data; analysis, graphing and tabulation of experimental data; calculation-based problem-solving activities; and facilitated class discussions. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively during all activities, either as a whole class or in small groups.

In addition to classes, students will be given a number of opportunities to engage with content, ask questions and receive feedback from staff. Students are encouraged to interact with the online discussion boards on Canvas where they can post questions and receive timely responses from teaching staff. The subject coordinator will be available for in-person or Zoom consultation in an allocated "office hours" time slot each week. In addition, students are encouraged to interact with the @applied_biomech2023 instagram account which will be moderated by the subject coordinator and will include bonus content related to relevant topics, pop quizzes and interactive content (NOTE: all official communication will be made via Canvas).

Content (topics)

Online Modules

Module 1: Biomechanical Principles & Concepts
1.1 Fundamental Biomechanical Principles:

  • Goals of biomechanics, scalar & vector quantities, uniformly accelerated motion, projectile motion, graphing, stability & motion, force, momentum & impulse, conservation of momentum, work, energy & power, conservation of energy.

1.2 Advanced Biomechanical Concepts:

  • Moment of inertia, linear & angular concepts, kinetic link principle, forces in biomechanics, free-body diagrams, force-time graphs, pressure, rotation, torque, rotational equilibrium, body segment torques.

Module 2: Quantitative Biomechanical Analysis
2.1 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis:

  • Calibration, data sampling, error estimation, data processing, data smoothing.

2.2 2D Motion Analysis:

  • Equipment, picture quality, sample rate, plane of motion & perspective error, calibration, marker sets, digitising, landmarks, segments & joints, interpretation of data, applications & limitations of 2DMA.

2.3 3D Motion Analysis:

  • Equipment, coordinate systems, degrees of freedom, marker sets, calibration, data processing, building models, creating metrics, interpretation of data, applications and limitations of 3DMA.

2.4 Measurement of Force & Torque:

  • 3D ground reaction force & isokinetic dynamometry; equipment, calibration, interpretation of data, applications & limitations.

2.5 Measurement of Muscle Activity & Architecture:

  • Function & structure of skeletal muscle, factors affecting movement and force production, stretch-shorten cycle, length-tension relationship, force-velocity relationship, electromyography, ultrasonography.

Module 3: Biomechanics in Practice
3.1 Biomechanics of Gait:

  • Terminology, gait cycle & functional tasks, phases of gait cycle, walking vs running, kinematic analysis of gait, kinetic analysis of gait.

3.2 Biomechanics in Sport (Long Jump Case Study):

  • Goals of each phase, application of biomechanical principles in each phase, practical application of principles in coaching.

3.3 Biomechanics in Strength & Conditioning:

  • Strength vs power, power in sports, force-velocity relationship, rate of force development, stretch-shorten cycle.

3.4 Biomechanics in Injury Prevention:

  • Reducing sports injury, describing incidence and type of sports injury, mechanisms of injury, load, stress and strain, injury prevention case study.

Lab Activities

  • Extension biomechanical principles (moment of inertia, angular momentum, kinetic link principle)
  • 2D motion analysis
  • 3D motion analysis
  • 1D force measurement and analysis
  • 3D force measurement and analysis
  • Isokinetic dynamometry
  • Electromyography

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Proposal & Data Collection

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the student's ability to work collaboratively in the design and implementation of an experimental study in order to answer a research question pertaining to two-dimensional motion analysis of a sporting skill.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

C, D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0

Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 2: Movement Analysis & Written Report

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the student's ability to process and analyse data, draw meaning and practical conclusions from experimental data, and their ability to report these findings with coherent written scientific language.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 3: Final Examination

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the student's ability to solve kinematic and kinetic problems relating to human movement and its environment, as well as assess their ability to recall, understand and apply concepts relating to laws of motion, biomechanical principles, and biomechanical data collection and analysis procedures.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D and E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

2.0, 3.0 and 4.0

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%

Required texts

Textbook:
Bartlett, R. 2014, Introduction to Sports Biomechanics, 3rd edn, Routledge, New York.

eReadings:
Donnelly, C.J., Lloyd, D.G., Elliott, B.C. & Reinbolt, J.A. 2012, 'Optimizing whole-body kinematics to minimize valgus knee loading during sidestepping: Implications for ACL injury risk', Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 45, no. 8, pp. 1491-7.

Haff, G. & Nimphius, S. 2012 ‘Training principles for power’, Strength and Conditioning Journal, vol. 34, no.6, pp. 2-12.

Muro-de-la-Herran, A., Garcia-Zapirain, B. & Mendez-Zorrilla, A. 2014, 'Gait analysis methods: an overview of wearable and non-wearable systems highlighting clinical applications', Sensors, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 3362-94.

Tao, W., Liu, T., Zheng, R. & Feng, H. 2012, 'Gait analysis using wearable sensors', Sensors, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 2255-83.

Recommended texts

Grimshaw, P., Cole, M., Burden, A., Fowler, N. 2019, Instant Notes in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.

References

Books

  • Hamill, J & Knutzen, K. M. 2021, Biomechanical basis of human movement, 5th edn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.
  • McGinnis, P. 2020, Biomechanics of sport and exercise, 4th edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
  • Richards, J. 2008, Biomechanics in clinic and research, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
  • Nordin, M. & Frankel, V. H. 2021, Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, 5th edn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.
  • Hughes, M. & Franks, I., 2020, The essentials of performance analysis: An introduction, 3rd edn, Routledge, New York.

Journals

  • Journal of Sport Sciences
  • Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport
  • Journal of Biomechanics
  • Journal of Applied Biomechanics
  • Sports Biomechanics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Gait & Posture
  • American Journal of Sports Medicine
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine
  • Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
  • Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
  • European Journal of Sport Science
  • Clinical Biomechanics

Other resources

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