1

WEST COAST UNIVERSITY

CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Occupational Therapy

OCC 524: Movement Science in Occupational Therapy

Summer 2022

LAB 1

1. Key Terms – be prepared to provide a succinct explanation for each of the following
terms:
Biomechanics

Kinesiology

Statics

Dynamics

Kinetics

Kinematics

Temporal

Spatial

Angular motion

Linear Motion (and differentiate rectilinear from curvilinear)

Frontal Plane (and what is the orientation for the axis of motion)

Sagittal Plane (and what is the orientation for the axis of motion)

Transverse (horizontal) Plane (and what is the orientation for the axis of motion)

Name:
2

2. Application of Kinematic and Kinetic Variables when considering motion: Consider an

athlete propelling his wheelchair up a hill, out on the road, during a 10km race. The hill
has a 3% gradient; there is a 10kph head wind, and he is currently traveling at 20kph.
His cadence is 70ppm (push per minute) with his hands against the rails of the wheels.
The athlete has a mass of 65.8kg and the wheelchair has a mass of 6.7kg. (see image).

A. Convert the Following and for “a” “b” and “c” specify if it is a temporal or spatial
measure:

a. How fast is he traveling, in mph?

b. How fast is the wind blowing, in mph?

c. What is the distance of the race, in miles?

d. What is the athlete’s body weight, in pounds?

e. How much does his chair weigh, in pounds?

Name:
3

B. Consider that there are a number for forces acting, regarding this wheelchair athlete:
identify FIVE (5) unique KINETIC variables involved in this scenario, and briefly explain
each. Recall that “Kinetic” refers to “forces” – which can be measured and felt. NOTE: a
hill gradient (uphill) is not a force.

C. Still considering the wheelchair athlete, identify FIVE (5) unique KINEMATIC variables
associated with this scenario. Recall that Kinematics involves “motions” and/or
“positions” – these are variables we can see and they can be measured/described.
Briefly explain each of the Five Kinematic variables.

Name:
4

D. Still considering the wheelchair athlete, match the “type” of motion with the following
and defend your answer
a. Rectilinear motion
b. Curvilinear motion
c. Angular motion

i. The athletes center of mass of his torso

ii. The movement of the wheelchair

iii. The movement occurring of his forearm, relative to his upper arm

NEW Scenario

3. Use the following choices to respond to the next series of actions. Choices may be used
more than once.
a. Frontal Plane motion around an anterior-posterior axis
b. Frontal Plane motion around a medial-lateral axis
c. Sagittal Plane motion around an anterior-posterior axis
d. Sagittal Plane motion around a medial-lateral axis
e. Transverse (horizontal) plane motion around a vertical axis
f. Transverse (horizontal) plane motion around a horizon axis

i. Primary action at the hip joint during a squatting motion

ii. Primary action at the knee joint during a squatting motion

iii. Primary action at the ankle joint during squatting motion

iv. Action of the head, at the neck, when nodding “yes”

v. Action at the shoulder joint when applying under arm deodorant

Name:
5

4. Explain why the exercise in Figure A is more difficult than the exercise in Figure B. The
ankle weight is 10kg. Be very specific!

A. If we converted the actual force of the ankle weight from kilograms to Newtons, we
would find that the weight is producing a downward force of approximately 98N.
Explain why the hip flexor muscles must produce a force that is 20x greater than
this, likely 2000N, in order to perform this leg lift exercise with a 98N weight around
the ankle. We are using Figure A in this case.

B. Provide a brief comment on the clinical importance of the relationship discussed in

letter “A” above (weight lifted vs. muscle effort).

Name:
6

5. An office associate complains of back and wrist pain. Name some factors that could be
of concern, being specific and be sure to defend your factors.

Name:
7

6. In YOUR OWN WORDS, define rotational inertia (i.e., angular inertia) using the
equation Ia = m(r2) In other words, explain the factors that influence angular inertia.

a. Why is it easier to swing your entire arm forward at the shoulder, when it the
limb is bent at the elbow, compared with if the elbow is fully extended? Be sure
to use angular inertia in your explanation.

b. Why is it important (from a rotational inertia point of view) to be sure that a

prosthetic device is the correct mass AND correct mass distribution? Be very
specific in your answer. Be sure to address “mass” and “mass distribution” in
your response.

c. Human limbs tend to taper distally. Explain why this arrangement is an advantage.

Name: