SPS 217 - INTRODUCTION TO

SPORTS BIOMECHANICS

Objectives:
• Define basic concepts in biomechanics
• Provide an overview of the sports, clinical, and
occupational applications of biomechanics
BIOMECHANICS: DEFINITION
AND PERSPECTIVE
 The international community (1970s)
…adopted the term biomechanics to
describe the science involving the
study of biological systems from a
mechanical perspective
 What is biomechanics?

bio mechanics

Application of mechanical principles in

the study of living organisms
 Biomechanists
…use the tools of mechanics, the branch of physic
involving analysis of the actions of forces, to study
the anatomical and functional aspects of living
organisms
 There are two major sub-branches of mechanics:
 STATICS
 DYNAMICS

 STATICS – is the study of system that are in a state

of constant motion, that is, either at rest ( no
motion) or moving with a constant velocity.
 DYNAMICS – is the study of systems in which
acceleration is present.
 Other further subdivisions of biomechanical study
are:
 KINEMATICS

 KINETICS

 KINEMATICS – describes the appearance of

motion ( including the pattern, speed, sequencing
by the body segments & degree of coordination.)
 KINETICS – is the study of the forces associated
with motion (optimal force intended purpose of the
movement).

 ANTHROPOMETRIC factors, including size, shape,

and weight of the body segments, are other
important consideration in a kinetic analysis.

 The Biomechanics of human movement is one of

the subdisciplines of KINESIOLOGY.

 Biomechanics is also a scientific branch of

SPORTS MEDICINE.
What is kinesiology?

the study of human movement

What is sports medicine?

an umbrella term that encompasses

both clinical and scientific aspects
of exercise and sport
 Biomechanics improving
human performance

Occupational biomechanics involves

study of safety factors in activities such as
lifting.
 Biomechanics improving
human performance
Handlebar palsy cause by
compression of the ulnar
nerve at the hand and wrist
to cyclist. Compression of
the ulnar nerve is a common
problem for competitive and
recreational cyclists.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
less common than
handlebar palsy, but this
another overuse injury to
cyclists. It cause pressure
directly on the median
nerve.
PREVENTION
• Making some
adjustment to the
equipment
(handlebar, seat, &
pedals to fit you on
upright position) &
behavior.
• Wear padded
glove that can
absorbs the shocks.
• Stretch the wrist
before riding.
• Strengthen the
wrist by doing
specific strength
training for the
arms.
Biomechanics improving
human performance

A wind tunnel is a chamber designed to measure

aerodynamic forces. New designs in sport apparel
and equipment have resulted from wind tunnel
testing.
PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACH

QUANTITATIVE versus QUALITATIVE

 Analysis of human movement may be either
quantitative or qualitative
QUANTITATIVE – implies that numbers are involved
QUALITATIVE – description of quality without the use
of numbers
 Problem-Solving Approach

 EXAMPLE:
 After watching the performance of a standing long jump.
 Observer A (qualitatively state) – “that was a very good jump.”
 Observer B (quantitatively state) – announce that the same jump was 2.1 meters in length.
SOLVING QUALITATIVE PROBLEMS
 Qualitative problems commonly arise during daily activities.
 To effectively analyze a movement, it is first essential to
formulate one or more questions regarding the movement.
 The question may be general or specific
General Questions
i. Is the movement being performed with adequate force?
ii. Is the movement being performed through an appropriate
range of motion?
Specific Questions
i. Is there excessive pronation taking place during the stance
phase of gait?
ii. Is release of the ball taking place at the instant of full elbow
extension?
 After all the questions have been identified, the next step is
to collect data – most commonly qualitative visual
observation data.
 Movement analyst then makes either written or mental notes
FORMAL versus INFORMAL PROBLEMS
 Informal type of problem is the more difficult one to
solve.
 According to Wayne Wickelgren…
… a formal problem is characterized by three
discrete components:
1. a set of given information
2. a particular goal, answer, or desired finding
3. a set of operations or processes that can be used
to arrive at the answer from the given information.
 In dealing with informal problems, however,
individuals may find the given information, the
processes to be used, and even the goal itself to be
unclear or not readily identifiable.
SOLVING FORMAL QUANTITATIVE PROBLEMS
 A simple procedure for approaching and solving
quantitative problems involves 11 sequential steps
 1. Read the problem carefully.
 2. List the given information.
 3. List the desired (unknown) information for which you
are going to solve.
 4. Draw a diagram of the problem situation showing the
known and unknown information.
 5. Write down formulas that may be of use.
 6. Identify the formula to use.
 7. If necessary, reread the problem statement to
determine whether any additional needed
information can be inferred.
 8. Carefully substitute the given information into the
formula.
 9. Solve the equation to identify the unknown variable.
 10. Check that the answer is both reasonable and complete
 11. Clearly box in the answer.
 A baseball player hits a triple to deep left field. As he is
approaching third base, he notices that the incoming throw to
the catcher is wild and he decides to run for home plate. The
catcher retrieves the ball 10 m from the plate and runs back
toward the plate at a speed of 5 m/s. As the catcher starts
running, the base runner, who is traveling at a speed of 9 m/s,
is 15 m from the plate. Given that time = distance / speed, who
will reach the plate first?

SOLUTION
Step 1 Read the problem carefully
Step 2 Write down the given information :
Base runner’s speed = 9 m/s
Catcher’s speed = 5 m/s
Distance of base runner from plate = 15 m
Distance of catcher from plate = 10 m

Step 3 Write down the variable to be identified:

Find which player reaches home plate in the shortest time.
 Step 4 Draw a diagram of
the problem situation.
 Step 5 Write down
formulas of use
Time = distance / speed
 Step 6 Identify the
formula to be used
 Step 7 Reread the
problem if all necessary
information is not
available
 Step 8 Substitute the
given information into the
formula
 Step 10 Check that the answer is both reasonable and
complete.

 Step 11 Box in the answer:

 The base runner arrives at home plate first, by 0.33
seconds.
 Sample problem 2
A man sit in 20kg wheelchair at the top of short ramp.
When the brakes on the wheelchair are suddenly
released, the wheelchair begins to roll down the ramp,
accelerating at a rate of 0.5meters/sec. if the net force
cause the wheelchair to roll down the ramp is 45
Newtons, what is the mass of the man in the wheelchair?

Formula:

Force = mass X acceleration

Step 2
Net force = 45 newtons
Wheelchair mass = 20kg
Acceleration = 0.5 m/s2

Step 3
Find : mass of man

Step 4
masstotal = masschair + massman
Step 5 and 6
Force = mass x accelaration

Step 7 and 8
Force = (masschair + massman)x accelaration

45 N = (20 kg+ massman ) x 0.5 m/s2

45 N = (20 kg + massman )
0.5m/s2

45 N - 20 kg = massman
0.5m/s2

massman = 70 kg

Step 9
70 kg
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

 Giving the correct units of measurement associated

with the answer to a quantitative problem is
important. And
 It is also important to recognize the units of
measurement associated with a particular physical
quantities.
 In the U.S the predominant system is the ENGLISH
system ( inches, feet, miles, pound )
 In every major country except the U.S used the Le
Systeme International d’Uites (the International
System Units) or commonly known as S.I. or
METRIC SYSTEM (gram, kilogram, meter, )
 SUMMARY
 Biomechanics is a multidisciplinary science involving the
application of mechanical principles in the study of the
structure and function of living organisms.
 Basic knowledge of biomechanics is essential for
competent professional analysts of human movement,
including:
 Physical education teachers
 Physical therapists
 Physicians
 Coahces
 Personal trainers
 Exercise instructor