INTRODUCTION

In this chapter you will be introduced to the science of kinesiology and the
various subdisciplines of kinesiology, including the biomechanics of
movements. A brief overview of the kinesiological analysis will follow.
Basic introductory movements will be introduced. This will be followed by
movements throughout the lifespan and in sports.

1.

BIOMECHANICS & KINESIOLOGY

Kinesiology is the science of movement. Kinesiology comes from the

Greek word (Kines) meaning to move. Kinesiology has in the past
referred to a basic course in anatomy for physical education. Kinesiology
uses anatomy, physiology and biomechanics to study movement from the
perspective of basic science.

2.

BIOMECHANICS

Biomechanics is the science of............... Biomechanics can be divided into

kinematics and kinetics.

Kinematics describes motion.

Kinetics deals with the forces that cause or tend to change motion
(McGinnis,2013).

3.

TERMINOLOGY in BIOMECHANICS

Biomechanics is a subfield of physics. This chapter does not deal with the
quantitative and mathematical aspects of biomechanics. The following
terminology will allow you to discuss movements from a biomechanical
perspective.
Term

Definition

Force
Mass
Acceleratio

A push or a pull action.

The amount of matter that a body contains.
Any change in the velocity of an object.

n
Inertia

The property of matter that causes it to resist any change of its motion in

Torque
Friction

speed or direction.
The tendency of a force to cause rotation around an axis.
The force developed by two surfaces, which tends to prevent motion of one
surface across another.

Adapted from Lippert, 2011.