Week 1 Flashcards
What is biomechanics?
The study of forces and their effects on living systems.
Biomechanics involves examining how forces act on the movements of the entire body, joints, specific tissues, or even blood flow.
What living systems does biomechanics encompass?
Humans, animals, and plants.
While the focus may be on humans, biomechanics is applicable to all living organisms.
Define force in the context of biomechanics.
A push or pull that causes, or tends to cause, change in motion (an acceleration).
Forces can exist even when there is no change in motion due to the cancellation of multiple forces.
Why is the study of biomechanics important for Kinesiology students?
It aids in performance improvement and injury prevention.
Students learn how to teach movements effectively and understand the mechanics behind them.
What are some applications of biomechanics in performance improvement?
- Improve/correct movement technique or training
- Discover a more effective technique
- Improve or develop exercise/sport equipment
- Injury prevention
What is an example of technique improvement in gymnastics?
A coach instructs a gymnast to ‘tuck tighter’ during dismount to manipulate angular momentum.
This advice is based on the conservation of angular momentum.
What can anatomical analysis identify?
The primary muscles and muscle actions (e.g., concentric, eccentric) during a movement.
It helps assess muscle weaknesses that may affect performance.
What is the etiology in injury prevention?
Investigation of the biomechanics during a movement to identify the cause of injury.
Understanding the mechanics can help prevent injuries like lateral ankle sprains.
What is the purpose of ankle taping and bracing?
To create support for the ankle/foot using the concept of torque.
Both methods aim to prevent injuries by stabilizing the joint.
What biomechanical principle is used in proper lifting techniques?
Torque principles to minimize resistance torque acting on the lower back.
Correct lifting techniques help prevent low back injuries.
What are the two types of biomechanical analyses?
Quantitative and qualitative.
What is the focus of rigid body mechanics?
Describing and explaining gross movements of humans and implements.
It assumes body segments are rigid links joined by frictionless hinges.
What does deformable body mechanics investigate?
The mechanical effects of deformations when segments deform under load.
This branch is important for understanding repetitive stress injuries.
What does statics study?
The mechanics of objects at rest or moving at a constant velocity, with no change in motion (no acceleration).
Objects can still be in motion without experiencing acceleration.
What is dynamics concerned with?
The mechanics of objects in accelerated motion.
What is the difference between kinematics and kinetics?
Kinematics describes motion characteristics without considering forces; kinetics involves the forces causing changes in motion.
