BIOPHYSICS

Introduction

Eric Lazar, PT
Course objectives
• Apply basic concepts of physics and trigonometry
to problems involving motion and human
movement
• Understand basic principles of physics including
kinematics, kinetics, forces and energy
• Apply basic principles of biophysics and
biomechancis to human movement and
chiropractic

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Primary book for this course

Le Veau, B. (1991) Biomecánica del movimiento humano. 1ª ed.

Trillas

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

What is Biophysics?
According to Biophysics for Dummies:

Biophysics = Biology + Physics

Physics: the study of the laws that the natural

universe obeys

Biology: the study of life

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Biomechanics
Combines the fields of mechanical engineering
with biology and physiology

Applies classic Newtonian physics to the analysis

of systems, processes and functions of the human
body

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

A definition of Biomechanics that I
like better…
The study of the mechanics of the human body.

May sound simple, but there’s a lot behind that

definition…

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Applied biomechanics
Muscle physiology, performance during exercise

Properties and resistance of biological materials and

tissues

Posture and ergonomics: weight distribution, load,

injury prevention

Application of forces to the body

Gait and human movement

Analysis of mechanism of injury

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica
Considerations for applying
biomechanics
The body is a complex, multi-segmented system
made up of skeletal levers…

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Connected by a series of joints…

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Producing motion through muscle action…

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

And coordinated by the nervous system

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

 Classification of mechanics
Statics Analysis of loads acting on physical
systems.

When loads do not experience acceleration,

they are said to be in static equilibrium.

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

 Classification of mechanics
Dynamics

The branch of mechanics that studies forces and

their effects on motion.

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

 And within dynamics…
1. Kinematics refers to the description of
movements (displacement, velocity,
acceleration) without consideration for the
forces that produce the movement.

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

2. Kinetics is the study of motion and what
causes it. Forces act upon objects/bodies,
producing changes (movement or
equilibrium).

15
Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica
Types of movements
Movements along an axis are translational or
linear

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Types of movements
Movements that occur about an axis are rotational
or angular

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Types of movements
Movements that are a combination of translation
and rotation are curvilinear

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

So which of these 3 types of movements do you
think is most common in the human body?

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Degrees of freedom

The arcs of movement that occur

about 3 axes.

An isolated body in space has 6

degrees of freedom (3 translations
and 3 rotations).

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Degrees of freedom
Y

Z
Translation
Rotation

All joints have 6 degrees of

freedom (3 translations
and 3 rotations)

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Planes of movement
Movement in two dimensions (bidimensional)

Y
+

X
- +

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Planes of movement
3-dimensional movement (tridimensional)

Y
+

X
- +

+ Z
-

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Cardinal planes and axes of movement
Check out this link for more
information:
https://www.physio-
pedia.com/Cardinal_Planes_and_
Axes_of_Movement

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Cardinal planes of movement
Cardinal Corresponding
plane axis Movements

Sagittal Frontal (X) Flexion-extension

Frontal Sagittal (Z) Abduction-adduction

Transverse Vertical (Y) Rotation

(axial)

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Right-hand (thumb) rule

Thumb = axis of rotation

Fingers closing = positive direction

Fingers opening = negative direction

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Kinematics (Direction)
• Left translation = +Tx
• Superior translation = +Ty
• Anterior translation = +Tz
• Right lateral bending = +Rz
• Flexion = +Rx
• Left axial rotation = +Ry

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Kinematics (Direction)
• Right translation =?
• Extension =?
• Right axial rotation =?
• Right lateral bending =?

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica

Kinematics (Direction)
• Right translation = -Tx
• Extension = -Rx
• Right axial rotation = -Ry
• Right lateral bending = +Rz

Madrid College of Chiropractic - Biofísica