Principles of Biomechanics Flashcards
What are the four categories of biomechanics?
- Stability
- Maximum effort (maximum amount of force or velocity)
- Linear motion
- Angular motion
What are the eight principles of biomechanics?
- Stability
- Production of maximum force
- Production of maximum velocity
- Force-velocity relationship
- Direction of movement
- Ground reaction forces (GRFs)
- Angular motion
- Conservation of angular motion
What is mechanical advantage?
The body is stronger at the established angle. The ratio of force that creates meaningful movement compared to the force applied to generate the movement.
What is work?
The energy transferred when force is applied to an object and is represented by the following formula:
Work = Force X Distance
(measured in foot-pounds)
What is power?
The amount of work done in a unit of time.
The combination of strength and speed—the ability for a muscle to generate maximal tension as quickly as possible.
Power = Work / Time
What is a lever?
A rigid or semirigid bar rotating around a fixed point when force is applied to one end.
What is a fulcrom?
The point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots.
How does movement occur in terms of biomechanics?
Within the body, the bones are the levers, the joints are the axis (fulcrum), and the muscles contract to apply force.
What is the effort arm?
The portion of the lever arm between the applied effort and the axis.
What is the lever arm?
The rigid bar portion of a lever that rotates around the fulcrum.
What is the resistance arm?
The portion of the lever arm between the load and the axis.
Adbuction
Movement away from the midline.
Adduction
Movement toward the midline.
Flexion
Movement that decreases the angle between two body parts.
Extension
Movement that increases the angle between two body parts.
