ESS 303 – Biomechanics

Why Study Biomechanics?

What’s the Motivation?

Required for major?

Earn credits towards graduation?

Why are sport skills/techniques the way they are?

Etc.

What is Biomechanics?

The study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of the methods of mechanics.

Combines the disciplines of mechanics (physics), biological structure (anatomy), and biological function (physiology)

Part of Kinesiology & Sports Med.

Kinesiology: The study of human movementAdapted PE, Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior,

Athletic Training, Sport History, Pedagogy, Sport Philosophy, Sport Art, Sport Psychology, Etc.

Sports Medicine: An umbrella term that encompasses both clinical and scientific aspects of exercise and sportAthletic Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Physical

Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Motor Control, Sport Nutrition, Sport Psychology, Athletic Training, Etc.

Sport Performance

Technique Improvement

Equipment Improvement

Equipment Improvement

Equipment Improvement

Training Improvement

Injury Prevention

Therapy & Rehabilitation

Research

Research

Research

Safety

Improved Multidisciplinary Education

PE Teaching

Physical Therapy

Physician

Coach

Personal Trainer

Exercise Instructor

Etc.

Terms

Glossary of textDownload handout from webPrefix and suffix for common terms

Tools

2D and 3D motion capture and analysisInfrared camera triangulationMagnetic fieldsOther (GPS, inertia, etc.)

Force plates & pressure sensor gridsEMG (Needle and surface)Muscle testing (Isokinetic,

dynamometers, tensiometers, etc.)Other…

Units of Measurement

Joe forgot his wedding anniversary His wife was really angry She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the

driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!”

The next morning Joe got up early and left for work When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure

enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway

Confused, the wife put on her robe, ran out, and brought the box in the house

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale Joe has been missing since Friday

Units of Measurement

English systemInches, feet, miles, yardsOunces, pounds, tons

Metric system (S.I. units)Centimeters, meters, kilometersLitersGrams, kilogramsSeconds, minutes, hours

Final Notes

Calculator with trigonometry functionsSin & arc sin, cos & arc cos, tan & arc tan, etc.

Keep-up with reading assignmentsReading items not in the lectures will not be on quizzes but

will be on exams (up to 5 questions for each exam)

Missed classesClass notes, reading assignment, lecture notes from a

classmateOption to record (even if you’re here)Critical dates: December 2nd, 7th, and 9th

Semi-critical dates: September 30th, October 26th, November 19th, and December 16th