Biomechanics

Question 1

Kinesiology

Answer 1

The study of the mechanics of human movement.

Question 2

Biomechanics

Answer 2

The study of the mechanical laws governing the movement of living organisms.

Question 3

Force

Answer 3

The interaction that creates work or physical change, calculated as mass × acceleration.

Question 4

Range of Motion (ROM):

Answer 4

The measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part.

Note: Human movement requires joints to be both mobile and stable; joints should move through the proper ROM with control.

Question 5

Angle of Muscle Pull:

Answer 5

The angle at which a muscle pulls relative to the long axis of the bone on which it pulls.

Question 6

Kinetics

Answer 6

The study of forces acting on a mechanism.

Question 7

Balance

Answer 7

An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to maintain its center of gravity within a base of support

Question 8

Equilibrium

Answer 8

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

Question 9

Stability

Answer 9

The ability to control and maintain control of joint movement or body position.

Question 10

Center of Gravity

Answer 10

The hypothetical position in the body where the combined mass appears to be concentrated and the point around which gravity appears to act.

Question 11

Base of Support

Answer 11

The area beneath an object or person that includes every point of contact that the object or person makes with the supporting surface.

Question 12

Muscular Force

Answer 12

Involves the contraction of a muscle while exerting a force and performing work. This can be:
Concentric (shortening)
Eccentric (lengthening)
Isometric (tension without joint movement)

Question 13

Dynamic Balance

Answer 13

The ability to remain upright and balanced when the body and/or arms and legs are in motion.

Question 14

Static Balance

Answer 14

The ability to remain upright and balanced when the body is at rest.

Question 15

Mass

Answer 15

The amount of matter in an object.

Question 16

Weight

Answer 16

The gravitational force of attraction on an object.

Question 17

Line of Gravity:

Answer 17

A vertical line straight through the center of gravity.

Question 18

Joint Mobility

Answer 18

The degree of movement around a joint before movement is restricted by surrounding tissues.

Joints typically needing greater mobility: Foot/ankle, hip, thoracic spine, shoulder, and wrist.

Question 19

Joint Stability

Answer 19

The ability of the muscles around a joint to control movement or hold the joint in a fixed (stable) position.

Joints Needing Greater Stability: Knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and elbow.

Question 20

Momentum

Answer 20

The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.

Question 21

Linear Motion

Answer 21

Movement along a line, which can be straight or curved.

Question 22

Angular Motion

Answer 22

Rotation around an axis.

Question 23

Axis

Answer 23

The point of rotation around which a lever moves.

Question 24

Displacement

Answer 24

The distance an object is displaced from a starting point.

Question 25

Angular Displacement

Answer 25

The change of location of an object that is rotating about an axis.

Question 26

Linear Displacement

Answer 26

The distance an object moves in a straight line.

Question 27

Mechanical Advantage

Answer 27

The ratio of force that creates meaningful movement compared to the force applied to generate the movement.

Question 28

Work

Answer 28

Force times distance, measured in foot-pounds.

Work Formula: W = F × D, where W is work, F is force, and D is distance or displacement.

Question 29

Power

Answer 29

The amount of force exerted by a muscle or group of muscles in a given amount of time.

Power Calculation: Work done in a unit of time = force × velocity.

Question 30

Mechanical Work

Answer 30

The amount of energy transferred by a force, which is the product of force and distance.

Question 31

Torque

Answer 31

The turning effect of an eccentric force, also known as the rotational analog of force.

Torque Calculation: Torque is determined by multiplying the force (effort) by the length of the force arm.

Force Arm: The distance between the fulcrum and the force or load application in a lever.

Question 32

Rotary Motion

Answer 32

Movement around a fixed axis moving in a curved path.

Question 33

Length-Tension Relationship

Answer 33

The amount of tension a muscle can produce with respect to its length.

Question 34

Force-Couple Relationship

Answer 34

Two or more muscles acting in different directions that influence the rotation of a joint in a specific direction.

Question 35

Muscle Synergies

Answer 35

The activation of a group of muscles to generate movement around a particular joint.

Question 36

Sustained Force Movement

Answer 36

Movement that requires continuous muscle contractions to keep a load moving.