Biomechanics Flashcards
Define biomechanics
A branch of sports science that examines internal and external forces acting on a body, and how forces affect performance.
Define motion
Movement that occurs when an object has changed position in space and in time, due to application of forces.
3 types of motion
Linear motion
- Movement is along a straight line, there is no rotation. All body parts move in same direction at same speed at same time.
- E.g. An ice skater gliding after they completed a movement. Cyclist who stops pedalling.
Angular motion
- Where all parts of a body move through an axis of rotation, through same angle, same direction and at same time.
- Rotary movement about an axis. All body parts do not move through same distance. Measured in degrees.
- E.g. Gymnast spinning around a bar.
General motion
- Combination of linear and angular motion.
- E.g. A cyclist riding on a straight path.
Define distance
Total length of path a person or object has travelled.
Define displacement
Distance between point of start and finish.
Define speed
Measure’s distance an object travels per unit of time; how quickly an individual can cover a given distance.
Speed = Distance/Time
Define velocity
A measure in time of how quickly an object is covering a given distance.
Measured in meters per second.
Velocity = Displacement/Time
Define Acceleration
Rate at which velocity of a body changes with respect to time.
Acceleration= Final Velocity-Original Velocity/time
Define angular distance
Sum of all angles as a body moves from its start position to end position. Exact length of angular path.
Define angular displacement
Difference in angle between start and end position of body.
Newtons first law
Linear
An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
When object is larger it will need more force to get it going, and it will need more force to stop it.
Define inertia
Amount of resistance to a change in an object’s state of motion.
Newtons first law
Angular
A rotating body will continue to turn about its axis of rotation with constant angular momentum unless an external couple or eccentric force is exerted on it.
Newtons second law
Linear
Acceleration of a body is proportional to force applied and inversely proportional to mass of object.
Newtons second law
Angular
Angular acceleration of a body is proportional to torque causing it and takes place in direction in which torque acts.
Newtons third law
Linear
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Conservation of linear momentum
When collisions occur, an equal and opposite force occurs resulting in a transfer of momentum from one object to other.
Newtons third law
Angular
For every torque that is exerted by one body on another, there is an equal and opposite torque exerted by the second body on the first.
Momentum
Measure’s amount of motion possessed by a moving body. Product of mass and velocity.
Momentum = Mass x Velocity
- An object can only have momentum if it is moving.
- Greater momentum, greater force required to stop or slow object down.
- When two bodies collide, body with most momentum will be least affected.
Angular momentum
The quantity of angular motion possessed by a rotating body.
Angular momentum = Angular velocity x Moment of inertia
If mass is closer to axis of rotation, moment of inertia decreases which increases angular velocity.
If mass is further from axis of rotation, moment of inertia increases which decreases angular velocity.
Angular momentum graph
Angular velocity
Velocity or speed of a rotating object.
Moment of inertia
Resistance on a rotating object to change its state of motion.
Made up by radius of rotation and weight.
MOI = mass of object x radius of rotation
Distribution of mass further away from axis of rotation, increase moment of inertia, harder to generate angular velocity.
Distribution of mass closer to axis of rotation, decrease moment of inertia, easier to generate angular velocity.
Impulse: Force-Time
Application of force over a period of time to change momentum of an object.
Impulse = Force × time
Factors of impulse
- Force
- Time you can absorb force over
Application of impulse
- Force production - Increase peak force and increase time (Increase momentum).
- Force absorption - Decrease peak force and increase time (Decrease momentum).
To maximize momentum of object, increase force component.
To reduce momentum of object, increase time component.
Effects of impulse
- Create momentum
- Change momentum
- Stop momentum
Define lever
A rigid bar-like objects that turns around a fixed point (axis) and to which forces are applied at two other points.
3 parts of a lever
Axis
- Weight/resistance/load to be moved.
Resistance
- Fulcrum or pivot point.
Force
- Application of force to move weight or resistance.
Force arm
Distance between force and axis of rotation. Generate more force.
Force arm longer than resistance arm - Force can move resistance easier.
Resistance arm
Distance between weight/load/resistance and axis of rotation. Generate more speed.
Resistance arm longer than force arm – body moves resistance through greater ROM.
Function of a lever
- Increase force - Shorten resistance arm.
- Increase speed – Lengthen resistance arm.
3 classes of levers
1st Lever
Axis/fulcrum is located in middle with force and resistance either side.
Few first-class levers in human body.
Further away force from fulcrum, object is easier to move.
Closer force to fulcrum, greater effort is needed to move object.
2nd Lever
Axis/fulcrum is located at one end with resistance in middle and force at opposite end.
3rd Lever
Axis is located at one end, force in middle, and resistance at opposite end.
In human body - muscle attachment represents force; joint represents axis/fulcrum; weight represents resistance.
Factors affecting use of external levers
Length of lever
Velocity is greatest at distal end of a lever. Longer lever is heavier, greater velocity at impact, greater momentum.
Inertia of lever
Longer lever, greater inertia acting on it. Greater MOI, object is harder to rotate.
Amount of force
Amount of force athlete’s muscles can generate determines length of lever that should be used.
Define torque
Turning effect created as a result of an eccentric force being applied around a pivot or axis.
Torque = Force x Distance
If force is applied further away from axis of rotation, greater torque is generated. If force is applied closer to axis, less torque is generated.
Moment arm
Length between axis of rotation and force applied.
Every joint that is involved in an exercise has a moment arm.
Longer moment arm, greater rotational force produced for same amount of force exerted.