Biomechanics Flashcards
What is Biomechanics?
The science of studying living things from a mechanical perspective.
It allows coaches to analyse athlete movement, improve technique and reduce injury risk
3 Examples of equipment used by Biomechanists
- Computer and digital analysis
- Cinematography
- Resistance pools pr swimming flumes
What are the benefits of biomechanics?
- Optimisation of sports performance (developing most efficient and effective technique)
- Prevention and reduction of injuries (understanding injury causes and development +application of proper technique)
- The design and development of improved equipment + materials to maximise sports performance
What is a force?
A push or pull upon an object resulting from the object’s interaction with another object- Measured in Newtons (N)
What is Gravity?
A force of attraction that pulls together all matter (Newtons, N)
- the more matter something has, the greater the force of its gravity
- the bigger the object, the stronger the gravitational pull
What is Mass?
A measurement of how much matter is in an object (Kg)
- mass is a combination of the total number of atoms, the density of the atoms, and the type of atoms in an object
What is Weight?
the measure of the force of gravity on an object (Newtons, N)
-the mass of an object will never change, but the weight of an item can change based on its location
- e.g. you may wieght 100 kg on Earth, but in outer space you would be weightless
What is Newton’s 1st law of motion (INERTIA)
An object, whether at rest or in motion, will continue in that state unless it is acted upon by a force strong enough to change its state of motion or rest.
e.g. a soccer ball won’t move from it’s position unless a force acts upon it, such as the player kicking it
What is Newton’s 2nd law (ACCELERATION)
The acceleration of an object is directly proportionate to the amount of force applied and takes place in the direction in which the force is applied
e.g. a netball will accelerate much faster than a medicine ball when thrown with the same amount of force
What is Newton’s 3rd law (ACTION & REACTION)
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
e.g. when a tennis player hits a ball the racket exerts a force on the ball (action force) and the ball exerts an equal and opposite force on the racket (reaction force)
What is Linear Motion?
Motion along a line that may be straight (straight line motion) or curved (curvilinear motion), with all part of the body moving in the same direction at the same speed.
e.g. an 100m sprint
What is Angular Motion
Also known as rotary motion, evident when the body or an object turns about an axis of rotation.
e.g. a somersault in gymnastics
What is General Motion?
A combination of angular motion and linear motion
e.g. a cyclist, his arms are involved in linear motion and his legs are involved in angular motion through the turning of the wheels. Together they are involved in general motion.
Calculate speed (the rate of motion, without taking into consideration of change in direction)
Speed (m/s) = Distance (m)/ Time (s)
e.g. a sprinter runs a 200m run (in a straight line) and completes this in 21 seconds
speed= 200/21
speed= 9.52 m/s
Calculate Velocity (the rate of change in location)
Velocity (m/s)= Displacement (m)/ Time (s)
e.g. a sprinter runs a 200m run (in a straight line) and completes this in 21 seconds
Velocity= 200/21
Velocity= 9.52 m/s
Acceleration
the rate of change of velocity or speed in a given time
Force/mass
e.g. an 100m sprint
Deceleration (+Example)
Reduction in speed or rate, negative acceleration
e.g needing to come to a sudden stop in netball
Example of angular motion through the vertical axis
Vertical axis= from head to toe
e.g. an ice skater spinning
Example of angular motion through the transverse (horizontal) axis
transverse axis= from hip to hip
e.g. a diver performing a somersault
Example of angular motion through the medial axis
medial axis= belly button to lower back
e.g. a gymnast performing a cartwheel