LECTURE 1/ CHAPTER 1 Pg. 1-16 Flashcards
Define Biomechanics
The science involving the study of the mechanical aspects of living organisms
The force studied include both the internal forces produced by muscles and the external forces that act on the body
Define Mechanics
Mechanics: a branch of physics that analyzes the actions of forces on particles and mechanical systems
- two major sub branches are statics and dynamics
Define Static Mechanics
Statics: a branch of mechanics dealing with systems in a constant state of motion (or not moving at all)
Define Dynamics Mechanics
Dynamics: a branch of mechanics dealing with systems subject to acceleration
Define Kinematics
Kinematics: study of the motion of bodies without reference to forces that cause the motion (observing the motion)
- the study of the size, sequencing, and timing of movement, without reference to the forces that cause or result from the motion
- Also known as form, or technique
- The appearance of motion
Define Kinetics
Kinetics: the study of the forces associated with motion
- Force: a push or pull acting on a body
Define Kinesiology
the study of human movement
Define Sports medicine
Sports medicine: an umbrella term that encompasses both clinical and scientific aspects of exercise and sport
What Problems are Studied by Biomechanists?
Locomotion; bipedal vs. quadrupedal gait (why can we walk on two legs instead of 4)
Mobility impairment
NASA, microgravity and musculoskeletal system (exercise in space and the effect that the lack of gravity has on our body)
Osteoporosis
Sport performance enhancement (figure skates)
Safety and injury reduction
what is osteoporosis
Osteoporosis: a condition in which bone mineral mass and strength are so severely compromised that daily activities can cause bone pain and fracturing (found more in elderly individuals with earlier onset in women, and is becoming increasingly prevalent due to the increasing mean age of the population - the most common site is the vertebrae)
3 General Areas of Study in biomechanics
Describing movement and determining how it is produced
* Human gait
* Sport performance
* Robotics
* Functional anatomy
Assessing how tissues are injured/how injuries can be prevented
Determining how performance can be optimized
Analysis of human movement may be either……
quantitative or qualitative
Quantitative Analysis of Human Movement:
implies that numbers are involved
➢Measured description of skill execution
➢ Development of an idealized model
i. Statistical model based on mechanical analysis
ii. Predictive mathematical model
➢ Predictive simulation for hypothetical conditions
i. “What will happen if…?”
Qualitative Analysis of Human Movement:
refers to a description of quality without the use of numbers
➢ Descriptive
➢ General description of movement patterns
➢ Uses descriptive words with optional generalized graphs/figures
➢ Identify mechanical principles in movement performance
➢ Hypothesizing techniques for improved performance base on #1 and #2
Cerebral palsy:
Cerebral palsy: a condition involving high levels of muscle tension and spasticity;
the gait of the cerebral palsy individual is characterized by excessive knee flexion during stance, which is treated by surgical lengthening of the hamstring tendons to improve knee extension during stance
