92542 Applied Biomechanics
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level: Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(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
In this subject, students revisit fundamental biomechanical principles essential for understanding human motion and are introduced to advanced concepts in the field. The subject emphasises the development of quantitative problem-solving skills and involves a significant biomechanical research project. Students gain proficiency in collecting, analysing, and interpreting biomechanical data pertinent to sports, exercise, and health, employing a variety of measurement tools. The focus lies on cultivating practical skills necessary for the quantitative analysis of sports, exercise, and general movement techniques, with the overarching goal of improving performance and minimising injuries.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 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. |
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 and dynamometry; 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.
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
- Biomechanics in practice
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): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
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): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
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): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Examination |
| 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
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