Biomechanics Key Terms Flashcards
Newton
The unit of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram one meter per second squared
Internal forces
A force exerted by one part of a system on another part within the same system
External forces
A force exerted on a system or on some of its components by a source outside the system
Tensile forces
A stretching force (tension) pulling at both ends of a component or structure along its length.
Compressive force
A pushing force whose direction and point of application would tend to shorten or squeeze an object along the dimension coinciding with the line of action of the force
Contact force
A force between two objects (or an object and a surface) that are in contact with each other
Frictional force
The force acting on a body when the body is not in motion, but when a force is acting on it
Stabilizer
A muscle whose torque prevents movement at a joint
Neutralizer
Role of a muscle whose torque cancels or eliminates the undesired effect of the torque produced by another muscle at that joint to allow a desired movement onlu
Prime mover
The muscle that causes the action
Asymmetrical load
A single sided or unbalanced load or weight distribution
