INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS

Description

This module is designed to introduce the basic principles of biomechanics. The module aims to help students understand how biomechanical principles seen in human movement link to ‘real-world’ sporting and clinical scenarios. Students will enter the module with an understanding of basic anatomy and how to describe human movement (gained from BMS1042 ‘Anatomy and Kinesiology’). The module will provide the knowledge of how this anatomy causes and affects motion (Kinetics) and how the corresponding movement can then be quantitatively described (Kinematics). Assessments in this module are designed to give students the opportunity to test the learnt theory in a practical manner, analyse the data produced and write up the findings in a scientific report (building on skills previously gained from BMS1053 ‘Skill Acquisition & Research Methods’). Indicative content includes: Practical: • 2D video analysis of human movement • Kinematic and Kinetic data collection of running • Force plate analysis of jumping • Measurement and estimation of centre of mass Theoretical: • Fundamental concepts in mechanics. • Calculation of the human body’s centre of mass position using anthropometric tables. • Kinematics of linear motion. • Position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration. • Free fall and ballistic projectile motion. • Newton’s laws of mechanics. • Ground reaction force in walking and running. • Analysis of the centre of mass motion in walking, running, and jumping. • Impulse and Momentum; Work, Energy, and Power. • Kinetic, Potential and Elastic energy of the human body. • Energy fluctuation during walking and running. • Experimental methods for the analysis of kinematics and kinetics of human motion. • Camera-based motion tracking, force plates and their applications for the analysis of walking, running, and jumping. • Moment of force and equilibrium of material objects. • Experimental measurement of the centre of gravity position using the reaction board method. • Joint moments, joint reaction forces, and muscle forces in equilibrium An understanding the core concepts of mechanics such as mass, force, velocity, acceleration, work, energy, and power. The skills needed to apply the fundamental laws of mechanics such as Newton's laws and conservation of energy to perform quantitative analysis of human body motion and equilibrium. The ability to practically apply the underpinning theoretical concepts to design experiments and analyse experimental data related to physical activity Attributes Developed 001 Understand the laws of mechanics and their implications to a range of situations related to sport, exercise, and physical activity in general. C 002 Perform experments in order to analyse activities such as walking,running, and jumping. KCT 003 Use laboratory equipment such as motion tracking systems, force plates, and cameras. P 004 Process and analyse experimental data, and present the results in a clear an coherent manner KCPT