Biomechanics of Human Movement

Description

Overview: The class aims to give the students an in depth understanding of the biomechanics of musculoskeletal tissues and structure. The students will build on the basic concepts of biomechanics learned in year 1. The purpose of the class is to develop knowledge, understanding, and practical experience of kinematic and kinetic analyse of human movement Syllabus: Outline (i) Stresses and strains on the body. (ii) Mechanical Properties of the musculoskeletal system. (iii) Force and pressure measurement. (iv) The vertical jump; theory and laboratory. (v) Gait analysis; walking and running. (vi) Motion Analysis. Learning Outcomes: (i) Determine the forces acting on the muscles and joints of the body; (ii) Perform pressure and force measurements; (iii) Describe the theoretical basis of the vertical jump; (iv) Perform a simple gait analysis in terms of ground reaction force; (v) Qualitatively and comparatively compare normal walking and running gait; (vi) Perform simple motion capture using motion analysis techniques. Assessment: Summative Assessment Mid semester short answer exam (40%) (learning outcomes I, III); 1 x 2000 laboratory report (40%) (learning outcome V) Formative assessment Mid semester 1 x 2000 word group laboratory report (20% of overall mark) (learning outcome II) The overall mark for the class will be a mean of all summative assessments