What is Biomechanics Biomechanics Hall Basic biomechanics p

What is Biomechanics? • Biomechanics: – Hall. Basic biomechanics, p. 3 “. . . application of mechanical principles to the study of living organisms. ” and “… use of the tools of mechanics. . . to study the anatomical and functional aspects of living organisms. ” • Biomechanics of human movement: – Kreighbaum & Barthels. Biomechanics: A qualitative study of human movement , p 1 “that area of study wherein the knowledge and methods of mechanics are applied to the structure and function of the living human system. ” • This course focuses on the biomechanics of human movement • Good website on biomechanics: Biomechanics world wide Home

Various types/contexts of human movement Occupational biomechanics Sport biomechanics Rehab biomech Orthopedic biom Exercise biom? Sport medicine? (Aging)

Selected practical issues of interest to biomechanists and practitioners • Exercise biomechanics: – Do you really need an abdominal exercise device? Which type is best? – What are the relevant biomechanical correlates of aerobic exercise to enable the most appropriate one for individuals • Example: What are the ground reaction forces during various types of aerobic dancing ? Which types are contraindicated for older women? – What types of exercises are effective in promoting bone density? • Sport biomechanics: – What specific factors should a coach or athlete focus on in order to produce an increase in performance? – Which mode of exercise is best for producing increased power performance? – Which sport implement or exercise device is best suited for you? – How does the height of the mound affect pitching technique and/or potential for injury?

Issues & problems, cont’d • Developmental/aging biomechanics – Does exercise play a role in promoting bone density or preventing osteoporosis? How? – Does activity level/type during formative years affect bone density later in life? – How can we prevent falls in aging people? – What special bone growth/injury problems do we have in youth? (mound height study) • Occupational biomechanics (ergonomics): – What movements and stresses contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome? Low back pain? Shoulder joint impingement? – What is the most efficient, or effective way to do a particular work task?

General Approaches to Analyzing Biomechanics of Human Movement • Basic approaches to studying human movement – – Kinetic vs Kinematic Static vs Dynamic Qualitative vs Quantitative Maximize, minimize, or optimize • Factors-Results Approach- a quantitative, heirarchial, deterministic model (Adrian, p 17) – Identify result – List factors that produce the result • Holistic Principle Approach – – – Describe the movement Describe overall performance goal in specific biomechanical terms Divide movement into phases Describe purpose/goal of each phase Identify anatomical, mechanical, and environmental considerations Determine biomechanical principles for successful performance of each phase and total movement – Assess performance based on these principles

Hay’s heirarchial factors-results analysis model. Each lower factor influences the linked factor above

The Holistic Model: The baseball swing

Holistic Model – the baseball swing

Tools Needed for Biomechanical Analyses • Prerequisite knowledge – Mathematics – Physics – Anatomy • Measurement tools – Kinematics – time, space relationships – Kinetics – forces (and their derivatives) and motion relationships – Electromyography • Experience • Problems, issues, and ideas

Assignment for Monday, Jan 30 • Identify and be prepared to describe one or more areas of study or specific problems in biomechanics that you are most interested in, knowing more about, and/or perhaps do a literature review on • Do a cursory electronic search of your topic and locate a few journal articles • Using a search engine of your choice: – Locate an internet website that deals with problems and issues in an area of special interest to you – Give a short verbal summary of the contents of the site to the class. Include in your comments the following: (1) site URL and description, (2)general purpose, (3) intended audience, and (4) specifically, how the site is beneficial to you and others. • Read: (1) Hamill Ch 8 and 9 (Kinematics review); (2) Kreighbaum pp 537 -555 & Adrian pp 131 -134, 162 -169