Concepts of Biomechanics Flashcards
Biomechanics
The study of the mechanical laws governing movement of living organisms
Kinesiology
The study of the mechanics of human movement in exercise, everyday life, and sport.
Anatomical position
The anatomically neutral body position facing forward with the arms at the sides of the body and palms and toes facing straight ahead.
Frontal plane
Divides the body into anterior and posterior planes (hip and shoulder abduction)
Sagital plane
Divides the body into left and right halves (squat)
Transverse plane
Divides the body into inferior and superior halves (anything with rotation)
Range of motion
Measurements of movement around a specific joint or body part
Balance
An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to maintain its center of gravity within a base of support
Equilibrium
A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
Stability
The ability to control and maintain control of joint movement or body position.
Base of support
The area beneath an object or person that includes every point of contact that the object or person makes with the supporting surface
Gravity
The attraction between objects and the Earth.
Dynamic balance
The ability to remain upright and balanced when the body and/or arms and legs are in motion.
Muscular force
Involves the contraction of a muscle while exerting a force and performing work. It can be concentric (shortening), eccentric (lengthening), or isometric (tension without joint movement
Static balance
The ability to remain upright and balanced when the body is at rest
Mass
The amount of matter in an object.
Weight
The gravitational force of attraction on an object
Line of gravity
A vertical line straight through the center of gravity.
Joint mobility
The degree of movement around a joint before movement is restricted by surrounding tissues.
Joint stability
The ability of the muscles around a joint to control movement or hold the joint in a fixed (stable) position
Laws of motion
The ability of the muscles around a joint to control movement or hold the joint in a fixed (stable) position
Force
The interaction that creates work or physical change. Its components are magnitude, direction, point of application, and line of action
Inertia
The resistance to action or change and describes the acceleration and deceleration of the human body.
Acceleration
The rate of change of velocity
Deceleration
A special type of acceleration where a person or object is slowing down
Velocity
The speed of an object and the direction it takes while moving