60. Sports Biomechanics

Question 1

What is sports biomechanics?

Answer 1

Study of the movements of the body using the science of mechanics

Study of the forces aciting on and within the body and studying how the body responds to these forces

Question 2

What are the different methods used for analysis in sports biomechanics

Answer 2

3D motion capture

Force and Pressure plates

Force transducers

EMG

Anthropometric measurements (measure lengths)

Question 3

What are the advantages of studying biomechanics

Answer 3

To improve performance

To prevent injuries

To improve treatment

Question 4

What are the three main areas of biomechanics

Answer 4

Rigid body mechanics- Treat all body areas as segements

Deformable body mechanics- Studies stresses and strains in tissue

Fluid mechanics- Studying forces in fluids

Question 5

What are the sub-sections of rigid body mechanics

Answer 5

Statics- forces that apply on the body at rest or in a constant motion

Dynamics- Body in motion with acceleration

Kinematics- describing the motion
Kinetics- Forces associated with motion

Question 6

What is meant by torque

Answer 6

The ability to rotate an object around an axis

Question 7

What is meant by moment arm

What is true about the lenght of the moment arm

Answer 7

Distance between the point were the Force is applied and the centre of rotation

The longer the moment arm, the greater the torque able to be generated for equal force

Question 8

What can be said about the relationship between moment arm and muscle moment arm

Answer 8

If muscle moment arm is much smaller than muscle resistance then the forces required to overcome will be larger

Question 9

What is a real world technique that applies ot the advantages of muscle moment arm and muscle resistance

Answer 9

Biceps curls completed at 90 degrees are more effective that curls completed at 140-150 degrees

Question 10

Why do we have a patella?

Answer 10

Increases the angle of pull for the quadriceps therefore increasing the effectiveness of the extensors of the knee

Question 11

What are the various resistances an athelete may encounter

Answer 11

Air resistance

Water resistance

Ground reaction force

Question 12

What is the function of gutters in swimming

Answer 12

Allows for buffering of currents to reduce the turbulence within pools

Question 13

What is ground reaction force

Answer 13

The force generated by the ground when force is appleid to it e.g. running

2-3 times bodyweight of athlete

Question 14

What is done to reduce ground friction?

Answer 14

Spike length and track design

Question 15

How much stress goes through the patella during

Climbing stiars

Squatting

Jumping

Answer 15

Climbing Stairs- 3x BW

Squatting- 7-8x BW

Jumping- 20x BW

Question 16

What adaptations does the patella have

Answer 16

Double the amount of articular catilage

5-6mm vs 2-3mm average

Question 17

How is energy absorbed within the body?

Answer 17

Eccentric muslce activity

Cartilage deformation

Bone deformation and microfractures

Question 18

How does bone mass change throughout age?

Answer 18

Peaks 20-30 both sexes

Declines steadily after 30

Woman declines rapidly around menopause due to oestroegon inhibits osteoclasts and now oestrogen is gone

Question 19

How many runners experience injuries each year?

Answer 19

30-75%

Question 20

Summarise the benefits of runnign barefoot

Answer 20

Good for joints if you plant on forefoot/midfoot

No one can run for miles without heel striking due to decreased effeciency and fatiguing of calf muscles and achilles tendon