92542 Applied Biomechanics
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level: Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (92521 Functional Anatomy OR 27171 Applied Kinesiology) AND (92512 Biomechanics of Human Motion OR 27111 Mechanics of Human Motion)
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)
| 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.
Weekly Q&A sessions facilitated by the subject coordinator offer students a chance to ask questions about online content, assessment tasks and general subject administration. Q&A sessions will be run online via Zoom.
Prior to laboratory sessions, students will be asked to complete a number of preparation activities which may include revising module content, completing pre-lab activities 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, electromyography and ultrasonography; 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.
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 estmation, 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 Analyis:
Equipment, coordinate systems, degrees of freedon, 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
- Ultrasonography and myotonography
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, Intriduction 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.
References
Books
- Hamill, J & Knutzen, K. M. 2014, Biomechanical basis of human movement, 4th edn, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.
- McGinnis, P. 2013, Biomechanics of sport and exercise, 3rd edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
- Richards, J. 2008, Biomechanics in clinic and research, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
- Nordin, M. & Frankel, V. H. 2012, Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.
- Hughes, M. & Franks, I., 2007, The essentials of performance analysis: An introduction, Routledge, New York.
- Grimshaw, P., Lees, A., Fowler, N. & Burden, A. 2007, Sport and exercise biomechanics, Taylor & Francis, 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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