INTRODUCTION TO

BIOMECHANICS

DR. ABDUL REHMAN PT

DPT, MS-CPPT*
MS
DEFINITION:
Bio = body mechanics = forces
and motion

“Biomechanics is the science

concerned with forces
(internal & external) acting on
the human body and their
effects on the motion of the
body”.
WHAT IS BIOMECHANICS?

• It involves the study of Force and Motion involved in

human movement, particularly sports performance.

• In other words, biomechanics looks at what is best

technique for generating forces and producing the
most efficient motion, in order to maximize sports
performance.
BIOMECHANICS- WHAT IS IT?

• The mechanical bases of biological systems.

• The application of mechanical laws to living structure.
• The study of structure and functions of biological
systems by means of the methods of mechanics.
• We might think of biomechanics as the “physics of human
movement.”
BASIC TERMINOLOGIES
MECHANICS:

• It is the branch of physics that

studies the motion of objects
and forces that acted upon it.
TYPES:

• Dealing with systems in a constant

Statics state of motion.

• Dealing with systems subject to

Dynamics acceleration.
• Statics: Study of systems that are in a constant state of
motion, whether at rest with no motion or moving at a
constant velocity without acceleration.
• Statics involve all forces acting on the body being in balance
resulting in the body being in equilibrium.
• Equilibrium (F1=F2)

• Dynamics: Study of systems in motion with

acceleration.
• A system in acceleration is unbalanced due to unequal forces
acting on the body.
• (F1≠F2)  ∆ Acceleration
KINEMATICS:
• Description of motion with
consideration of
 Time
 Space
 Displacement
 Velocity
 Acceleration
TYPES OF KINEMATICS:

• Bones moving in space in regard to joint surface.

Osteokinematics E.g.: Extension, Flexion, etc.

• Are the manners in which joint surfaces move in

Arthokinematics relation to each other.
KINETICS:

• Study of forces associated with

the motion of the body.
• Force & Injury
factors
• Magnitude
• Location
• Direction
• Duration
• Frequency
• Rate
KINETICS: FORCE SYSTEM
• LINEAR

• PARALLEL

• CONCURRENT

• GENERAL

• FORCE COUPLE
WHY STUDY BIOMECHANICS?

• Skill analysis
• Correction
• Pinpointing errors
• Developing a new technique
• Adapting to new equipment
• Understanding complex movement
behavior
BIOMECHANICS: DOES IT EXIST IN MORE
THAN ONE FIELD?
• Exercise and sport biomechanics
• Orthopedic biomechanics
• Occupational biomechanics
• Biomechanics of other biological systems
• Exercise and sport biomechanics
 Improving athletic performance.
eduction of athletic injuries.
 Reduction
• Orthopedic biomechanics
• Artificial limbs, joints, and orthoses to improve
functional movement capacity
• Study of natural and artificial biological tissues
• Occupational biomechanics
• Ergonomics and human factors
• Reduction of workplace injuries
• Biomechanics of other biological systems
• Comparative biomechanics (e.g., Swimming in fish,
locomotion in apes)
• Equine (horse) and canine (dog) racing performance
ANTHROPOMETRICS
• The science that deals with the measurement
of size, weight, and proportions of the human
body.
• The use of body dimensions and
measurements to design the system to fit the
operator
• This is the branch of ergonomics that deals
with body shape and size
ANTHROPOMETRIC DESIGN
1. Design for the RANGE
• Adjustable car seat, elbow rest height.

2. Design for the extreme

• Height – design clearance for tall people.
• Reach – design to be reached by short people.

3. Design for the average

• Public seating, designed to accommodate the median of the population in
use.
ERGONOMICS
• ERGONOMICS IS ABOUT 'FIT': THE FIT BETWEEN PEOPLE, THE
THINGS THEY DO, THE OBJECTS THEY USE AND THE
ENVIRONMENTS THEY WORK, TRAVEL AND PLAY IN.
REMEMBER

• DESIGN SO THE
LARGE CAN FIT, THE
SMALL CAN REACH
AND THE WEAK CAN
LIFT, LOWER, PUSH,
PULL & CARRY.
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