Angular Kinematics

Dr.Ambreen Zahid
Senior lecturer
Observing the Angular Kinematics
 Clinicians, coaches, and teachers of
physical activities routinely analyze
human movement
 Based on observation of timing and
range of motion
 Developmental stages of motor skills are
based on analysis of angular kinematics
Angular Motion
 Inangular motion, or rotational motion
around an axis, the axis of rotation is a
line, real or imaginary, oriented
perpendicular to the plane in which the
rotation occurs, like the axle for the
wheels of a cart.
Angles
 Anangle is formed by the intersection of
two lines, two planes, or a line and a
plane.


Measuring Angles
 Filmed images
 Videotapes and films of human
movement
 Computer software
Relative versus Absolute Angles
Relative angle:
 Anatomical reference position

Absolute angle:
 Horizontal reference
 Vertical reference
Measuring angles
Relative versus absolute angles:
 Relative angle - angle at a joint formed

between the longitudinal axes of

adjacent body segments.
 Relative angles should be measured on

the same side of a given joint.

Measuring angles
 The straight, fully extended position at a
joint is regarded as 0 degrees.

 When joint ROM is quantified, it is the

relative joint angle that is measured.
Measuring angles
 Absolute angle - angular orientation of a body
segment with respect to a fixed line of reference.

 Absolute angles should be consistently measured in

the same direction from a single reference - either
horizontal or vertical.
Measuring angles
 The relative angle at the knee is
measured between adjacent body
segments and the absolute angle of the
trunk is measured with respect to the
right horizontal.
Tools for Measuring Body Angles
Goniometer:
 One arm fixed to protractor at 00
 Other arm free to rotate
 Center of goniometer over joint center
 Arms aligned over longitudinal axes

Electrogoniometer (elgon):
Inclinometers:
Tools for measuring body angles
 Goniometers are commonly used by
clinicians for direct measurement of
relative joint angles on a live human
subject.
Tools for measuring body angles
 Other instruments available for quantifying angles
relative to the human body are the electrogoniometer
and the Leighton flexometer.
Instant center of rotation
 The location of the exact center of rotation at the joint
changes slightly when joint angle changes.

 The instant center is the precisely located center of

rotation at a joint at a given instant in time.
(a) Laser scan. (b) Body segments. (c) Joint centers.
Angular distance and displacement:
 Angular displacement is measured as the sum of all
angular changes undergone by a rotating body.
Angular kinematic relationships
 The counterclockwise direction is regarded as positive,
and the clockwise direction is regarded as negative.
Angular kinematic relationships
 Three units of measure are commonly used to
represent angular displacement and angular distance.

 The degree, the radian (equal to 57.3 degrees), and the

revolution.
Angular kinematic relationships
 Radians are often quantified in multiples
of pi.

 Piis a mathematical constant equal to

approximately 3.14, which is the ratio of
the circumference to the diameter of a
circle.
Angular speed and velocity
 Angular speed is a scalar quantity and is
defined as the angular distance covered
divided by the time interval over which
the motion occurred.
 Angular velocity is calculated as the

change in angular position or the angular

displacement that occurs during a given
period of time.
Angular speed and velocity
 Unitsof angular speed and angular
velocity are degrees per second (deg/s),
radians per second (rad/s), revolutions
per second (rev/s), and revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Angular acceleration
 Thechange in angular velocity
occurring over a given time.

 Units
are degrees per second
squared (deg/s2), rad/s2, and rev/s2.
Angular Kinematics
 Angular motion vectors:

 Righthand rule – procedure

for identifying the
direction of an angular motion vector.
Relationships between linear and angular
displacement
 Radius of rotation - distance from the
axis of rotation to a point of interest on a
rotating body.
 The greater the distance a given point on

a rotating body is located from the axis

of rotation, the greater the linear
displacement undergone by that point.
Relationships between linear and
angular acceleration
 An increase in linear velocity or a

decrease in the radius of curvature

increases radial acceleration (choking up
on a bat).
 Thus, the smaller the radius of curvature,

the more difficult it is for a cyclist to

negotiate the curve at a high velocity.
Centripetal acceleration
 Thelinear acceleration directed toward
the axis of rotation.

 Centripetalforce is the force that causes

centripetal acceleration.