Biomechanics and Advantage

Internal & External Forces

• Internal forces are applied via muscle action
• External forces are those acting on a body part
(weight, cable, spring, load)
• Internal forces are affected by the angle of pull
of the muscle
• External forces are affected by the angle of
pull of the resistant force
 Combining Forces
• If you add weight to a limb, the force is the
SUM of the body segment and the weight
• If you provide traction, the force is the
DIFFERENCE between the resistance and the
traction force
• Force vectors are altered by the angle of pull
considering the position of the body. Consider
muscles crossing several joints. What occurs at
those ‘in between joints’ with movement?
 Insufficiency
• Passive Insufficiency
– Issue
– Pathology
– problem
• Active Insufficiency
– Physiological
phenomenon
 Think about angles
• Remember the mechanical principle about
muscle force; that a pennate muscle must pull
harder depending on the angle…the muscle is
more effective (easier) at a right angle
• Use this principle in determining the force
required of a muscle based upon the angle of
the axis of motion. Where is a bicep curl
easier? Where is a knee flexion exercise
easier?
 Matching Internal & External Forces
• Matching forces is when the force of the muscle and
the force of the resistance is most closely
matched….this makes the exercise easier.
• Some programs should challenge the muscle; you
need to make the angle or the weight create the
challenge
• Some programs should promote equilibrium for
isometric skill
• Where we apply resistance is a result of force and
leverage
 Practical Exercise Relationships
• Resistance with a muscle at 90 degrees
• Altering the resistance
• Altering the angle of the joint
• Altering the angle of pull
• Modifications the therapist can make
 Short Cuts
• Look at the angle of pull – 90 degrees max
• If the angle is less, the muscle works less
• If the angle is more, the muscle works less
• Look at the IMA – smaller arms require greater torque
• Leverage:
– Usually, IMA is greatest at 90 degrees
– Moving from the COG will increase EMA
– Uneven class 1 leverage means more recruitment on the
side with the smaller arm
The Axial Skeleton

Vertebrae
 Players
• Cranium
• Vertebrae
• Ribs
• Sternum
 Vertebral Curves
• Concave/convex
• Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar
• Cauda Equina
• Pathologies
– Lordosis
– Kyphosis
– scoliosis
 Movement
• Cervical flexion vs. extension
• Protraction and retraction
• Lateral bending
• Cervical rotation
• Trunk flexion & extension
• Trunk lateral bending
• Pelvic Tilt
Axial Skeleton - Muscles
 Primary Back Muscles
• Erector Spinae
• Transversospinalis
• Short Segment

• Cervicis and Capitis

 Abdominal Muscles
• Rectus Abdominis
• External Obliques
• Internal Obliques
• Transvers Abdominis

• Combined trunk motions – rotation includes

transverse, rectus, external, internal, serratus,
pecs, sternocleidomastoid
 Trunk – Hip Support
• Iliopsoas
• Quadratus Lumborum

• Stabilizers w/ activity
 Primary Neck Muscles
• Scalenes
• Sternocleidomastoid
• Imbalance
 Lifting
• Recruitment of fibers
• Class 1 lever
classification
• Lumbar curvature
• Valsalva Maneuver