Introduction to Exercise Science

Biomechanical Bases of Human Movement

KINE 1700 - UNITS

Careers in Exercise Science

Introduction to Anatomy

Introduction to
Neuromuscular Function

Introduction to
Biomechanics
 Biomechanics
The Study of the Mechanics
(physics) of Biological (living)
Phenomena

Old Foundations
New Applications

Sir Issac Newton Tiger

 Biomechanics
Applications
 Sport
– Performance Enhancement
– Sport Injury
 Biomechanics
Applications
 Industry
– Ergonomics
Prevention of
workplace
injuries
Improve Productivity
– Product Design
 Biomechanics
Applications
 Entertainment – Animation
Films, TV, Video Games, Simulations, Virtual
Reality
 Biomechanics
Applications
 Medicine and Allied
Health
– Physical, Occupation,
Kinesio Therapy
– Orthopedics
– Prosthetics
 Biomechanics
Divisions of Biomechanics

 Kinematics – Description
of Movement

Questions - How
much movement,
how far, how fast, in
how much time, in
what direction, etc.
 Biomechanics
Divisions
 Kinematics – Description
of Movement
 Kinetics – Forces
Associated with
Movement

Questions – How much

force, in what location,
when applied, etc.
 Biomechanics
Divisions
 Kinematics –
Description of
Movement
 Kinetics – Forces
Associated with
Movement
 Neuromuscular –
Muscle Function and
Questions – What muscles,
Control of Movement
when active, how long
active, how coordinated
with other muscles
 Biomechanics
What Does it Deal With?

Strength
Levers
Force

Inertia Energy
Torques Expenditure

Velocity
Efficiency of
Movement
Center of
Mass
 Biomechanics

What Causes Things to Move ??

 Biomechanics

Force
In the absence of Force…no movement
can occur !!!

Why ??

Inertia
 Biomechanics

Inertia

Resistance to change in position…..or

motion

Newton’s First Law of Motion

 Biomechanics
Force
What is Force ?????

A Push or a Pull

That which causes or tends to cause

motion
 Biomechanics

Forces……………
Are necessary for motion
to occur…… and

Are the result of motion

 Biomechanics

Force
When do we need to Increase force ??
 Biomechanics

Force
When do we need to Decrease force ??
 Biomechanics

Forces in the Body

Where do they come

from???
 Biomechanics

Forces in the Body

 Biomechanics

Forces Acting on the

Body

Where do they come from??

 Biomechanics

Forces Acting on the

Body
 Biomechanics

What determines Force?

Force = ma

m = mass (amount of matter)

a = acceleration (change in velocity)

To manipulate Force ………change mass and/or

acceleration
 Biomechanics

What are the Characteristics of a Force ?

Magnitude (amount of force) – ex. 30 newtons

Direction – ex. 45 deg

Force is a Vector Quantity

 Biomechanics

Multiple Forces can be Added

Together

The result is a unique force ( and movement) that

reflects the magnitudes and directions of all of
the forces from which it was created
 Biomechanics
When forces causes rotations we call
them Torques
Biomechanics
Torques
Any time Rotation
occurs…..Torques
are responsible
 Biomechanics

How do torques and forces differ?

Force=ma
Torque=force *distance

distance = perpendicular distance

between the “action line” of the force
and the axis
 Biomechanics
Torque

Force=10 lbs at 90 deg

Distance = 2 feet
Action line of the force

axis

Torque = 10# x 2 feet

Torque = 20 ft-lbs
 Biomechanics
Torque

Force=10 lbs at 90 deg

Distance = 3 feet

Torque = 10# x 3 feet

Torque = 30 ft-lbs
 Biomechanics
Torque

Force=10 lbs at 45 deg

Distance = 3 feet
 Biomechanics
Torque

Force=10 lbs at 45 deg

Distance = 3 feet

Perpendicular
distance = 2.1 ft
 Biomechanics
Torque
Force=10 lbs at 45 deg
Distance = 3 feet

Solve for A and B

B
Perpendicular
distance = 2.1 ft
 Biomechanics
Torque

Force=10 lbs at 45 deg

Distance = 3 feet

Torque = 2.1# x 3 feet

Torque = 21ft-lbs
 Biomechanics
Torque

What’s important ???

Changes in Force or Distance can both

Influence the Magnitude of a Torque
 Biomechanics
Torque

Elbow
bicep Torques

Axis

Force Gravity
 Biomechanics
Torque

Elbow
bicep
External Torque

Axis

Force Gravity
 Biomechanics
Torque

Elbow
bicep

Internal Torque

Axis

Force Gravity
 Biomechanics
Torque

Movement is determined by the balance of internal and

external Torques

Elbow
bicep Torques

Axis

Force Gravity
 Biomechanics

The Body - as a System of Levers

 Biomechanics
Levers - Applications
 Variations in body size and proportion –
effects on sport performance
 Factors contributing to injury in sport,
industry, and the home
 Design of implements for sport and work
 Developing a more complete understanding
of the evolution of all life forms
 Biomechanics
Levers

torque torque

resistance arm fulcrum force arm

 Biomechanics

Classification of Levers
 Biomechanics
Levers
Classification of Levers

First Class resistance force

Second Class resistance force

Third Class force resistance

 Biomechanics
Third Class Lever

Elbow
bicep
resistance

force
 Biomechanics
Levers
Levers in the Body

First Class – Skull (Atlas and Axis)

Second Class – Heel Raise

Third Class – Elbow, knee, hip, etc

 Biomechanics
Levers
Levers in the Body

What are Levers so Useful ???

They Can…………..

Increase Range of Motion

 Biomechanics
Levers
Levers in the Body

What are Levers so Useful ???

They Can…………..

Increase Range of Motion

Change the Direction of a Force

Motion
 Biomechanics
Levers
Levers in the Body

What are Levers so Useful ???

They Can…………..
Increase Range of Motion
Change the Direction of a Force
Amplify a Force (manipulate torque)
Biomechanics
Center of Mass
 Biomechanics
Center of Mass

Center of Mass = Center of Gravity

What is Gravity ???

 Biomechanics
Center of Mass/Gravity - Application

 Balance
– Sport
– Functional Activities
– Injury….Falls – a huge problem!!!
 Biomechanics
Center of Mass/Gravity

Definition – The point around which

the mass of the body is equally
distributed
 Biomechanics
Center of Mass – Factors Influencing

 Amount of Mass
 Location of Mass – position of the body
segments
 Added (external) mass
 Biomechanics
Center of Mass – Determination of…

Balance method

Segmentation Method – Dempster’s Tables

 Biomechanics
Center of Mass

Relationship to Balance

Factors Influencing Balance:

Base of Support
Height of Center of Mass Above Base
Amount of Mass - inertia
Quiz Material Ends Here
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion

First Law – Law of Inertia (momentum): An object at rest

will remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. An
object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by
and outside force.
Important Points:
Force is required to change the state of
an object’s motion
Objects in motion tend to remain in
motion
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion

Second Law – The Law of Acceleration (force): When force is

applied to an object the acceleration that the object experiences
will be proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the
object’s mass.
Important Points:
Large forces are needed to produce
high rates of acceleration
Objects that are large require
substantial forces to cause them to
move
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion

Third Law – Action and Reaction: For every force that is

produced a second force, equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction is also produced.

Important Points:
Forces result in “reaction” forces that
act on the body
Movements of one part of the body
produce “counter-movements” in
another part of the body
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Third Law - For every Action (motion) there is a Re-action

(motion) that is equal in Magnitude and Opposite in
Direction

Action Re-Action
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Issues:
For every force applied by the body to an
object….the object applies an equal force
back against the body
 Biomechanics
Momentum

What is Momentum?
The quantity of motion that
something possesses!

Mo= mass*velocity
 Biomechanics
Momentum – Why are we Interested?

The human body possesses momentum when it is

in motion (inertia)
Example – Landing from a jump

External objects need momentum to move

Example – Golf Ball on the tee

We expend energy to change the momentum of

external objects and the body
Example - Running
 Biomechanics
Transfer of Momentum

Momentum Can be Transferred From

the Body to and External Object
 Biomechanics
Transfer of Momentum

Momentum Can be Transferred

Within the Body From One Segment
to Another
 Biomechanics
Momentum

How do we produce a change in

Momentum?

Apply an Impulse

Impulse = Force * Time

 Biomechanics
Momentum

Impulse = Force x Time

Situations Where We Would want to Maximize Force

 Biomechanics
Momentum

Impulse = Force x Time

Situations Where We Would want to Maximize Time

 Biomechanics
Angular Momentum

Defined – The momentum of Objects experiencing angular

motion
Law of Conservation of (Angular)
Momentum – Objects will remain
in motion unless acted upon by
some outside force

Angular Momentum depends on:

Mass
Angular Velocity
Moment of Inertia
 Biomechanics
Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum depends on:

Mass
Angular Velocity
Moment of Inertia

Axis

Moment of Inertia
 Biomechanics
Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum depends on:

Mass
Angular Velocity
Moment of Inertia

Axis

Moment of Inertia Decreased

For Angular Momentum to Remain Constant:

If Moment of Inertia Decreases/Increases then
Angular Velocity Must Increase/Decrease
 Biomechanics
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Issues:
Any movement by the
body when it is free in
“space” results in a
counter-movement
** This means that it is
“impossible” to

initiate rotation when

the body is in the air