© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

BIOMECHANICS IN SPORTS

By
Ishfaq Ali (Lecturer in Physical Education & Sports Sciences)

Department of Sports Sciences & Physical Education

G C University Faisalabad .
Ph. 03014343421
Email: ishfaqgcuf@gmil.com
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 What is
Biomechanics?

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 Biomechanical Foundations of
Physical Education and Sport

What is the value of biomechanics for

physical education, exercise science, and
sport?

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 Biomechanics

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 Biomechanics -- Defined
 Bio - life; living organism

 Mechanics - the branch of physics concerned with the analysis of

the action of forces on matter or material (physical/factual)
systems

 Biomechanics – the study of forces and their effects on living

systems

 Exercise & Sport Biomechanics – the study of forces and their

effects on humans in exercise and sport

 Applied or “Functional” Biomechanics – (the focus of this class);

the examination of the application of biomechanics in the
exercise and sports field

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 Definition of Bio-mechanics
1. Study and analysis of human movement patterns in
sports. (Bartlett, 2007).

2. Biomechanics has been defined as the study of the

movement of living things using the science of
mechanics(Hatze, 1974).

3. Biomechanics is the science concerned with the internal

and external forces, acting on human body and the
effects produced by these forces.

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 Definition of Bio-mechanics
(Comprehension)

Biomechanics is the study of the body as a machine. This

study of the body looks at the internal and external forces that
act on the body, and the movements that these forces produce.

By grasping biomechanical concepts, we can program

this machine, our body, to move with precision. Furthermore,
this vital study enables us to correct technical errors, reduce
injury and understand the importance of equipment design.

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 Human Biomechanics

 Applications of biomechanics (human biomechanics)

Purpose of the science – understand, protect and

enhance human function
Role in sport – ultimately, to improve performance
Role in therapy – rehabilitate
(Restore/recover/naturalize), re-educate
Role in product design – to design products that
optimally support human function

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 Human Biomechanics

 Role in injury prevention – to minimize

adverse(hostile/opposing) stress and strain (When
deforming forces act on an object, they can change the
object's shape. The main difference between stress and
strain is that stress measures the deforming force per unit
area of the object, whereas strain measures the relative
change in length caused by a deforming force) on the body
through movement analysis, technique design and
product development
 Role in the workplace – Ergonomics (the study of
people's efficiency in their working environment )- to
maximize productivity by minimizing worker
fatigue and discomfort

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 Historical Development
 Biomechanics emerged (appeared/developed) from physical
education as a specialized area of study in the mid-1960s and
1970s.
 Kinesiology Era (late 1800s- early 1900s)
 Application of mechanics to the study of movement
 Nils Posse (from 1880): “The Special Kinesiology of
Educational Gymnastics”
 Biomechanics Era (mid-20th century)
 Increased teaching, research and writing
 Development of Biomechanics (1960s-present)
 Differentiation between kinesiology and biomechanics, and
application of biomechanics to physical education and sport.

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 Professional Development
 1963: AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance) forms Kinesiology Section, and in 1993
became known as Biomechanics Academy
 1973: International Society of Biomechanics
 1976: American Society of Biomechanics
 1982: International Society for Biomechanics in Sport
(ISBS)
 Journals
 1968: Journal of Biomechanics
 1985: Journal of Applied Biomechanics
 2002: Sports Biomechanics (ISBS)

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 United States Olympic Committee

 Encouraged the development of

biomechanics for the improvement of
elite athletes’ performances.
 Olympic Training Centers offer state-of-
the-art (the most recent stage in the development
of a product) care and technology for the
testing and analysis of performance.

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 What is biomechanics?

Bio Mechanics

Application of mechanical principles in the study of

living organisms
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 Sub-branches of biomechanics:

• Statics: study of systems in constant

motion, (including zero motion)
• Dynamics: study of systems subject to
acceleration

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 Sub-branches of biomechanics:

• Kinematics: Study of the appearance

or description of motion
• Kinetics: Study of the actions of forces

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 Biomechanics

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 What is kinesiology?

the study of human movement

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 Kinesiology
 Scientific study of human movement
 Anatomical (relating to bodily structure) and
physiological(the branch of biology dealing with the
functions and activities of living organisms and their parts,
including all physical and chemical processes) elements
that carry out movements
 Purposes of kinesiology
 Move safely
 Move effectively
 Move efficiently

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 Biomechanics
 The application of the principles of mechanical
physics to understand movements and actions of
human bodies and sport implements.
 Kinesiology and biomechanics are
intricately(complicatedly/complexly) related.
 Principles of these two fields can be applied to the
fields of biology, physiology, engineering, physical
and occupational therapy (the use of particular activities as an
aid to healing from physical or mental illness), and medicine as
well.

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 What is Kinesiology?

Kinesiology
Adapted
Adaptedphysical
physical
Biomechanics
Biomechanics education
education
Exercise
Exercise
physiology Motor
Motorbehavior
behavior Athletic
Athletictraining
training
physiology

Sport
Sporthistory
history Pedagogy
Pedagogy

Sport
Sportphilosophy
philosophy Sport
Sportart
art Sport
Sportpsychology
psychology

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 What is Sports Medicine?

an umbrella term that encompasses

(includes/covers/involves) both clinical and
scientific aspects of exercise and sport

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 What is sports medicine?

Sports Medicine

Biomechanics
Biomechanics Athletic
Athletictraining
training

Exercise
Exercise Cardiac
Cardiac
physiology Physical
Physicaltherapy
therapy rehabilitation
physiology rehabilitation

Motor
Motorcontrol
control Sport
Sportnutrition
nutrition

Other
Othermedical
medical
Sport
Sportpsychology
psychology Athletic
Athletictraining
training specialties
specialties

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 Qualitative vs. Quantitative:

• Qualitative: Pertaining to quality

(without the use of numbers)
• Quantitative: Involving numbers

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 Qualitative Vs Quantitative Bio-
mechanical Analysis
Qualitative Analysis:

 A Qualitative analysis of an activity involves

observation of the performance, NOT the
collection of Numerical data.

 The individual performing this type of

analysis observes the performance and through
understanding the concepts of Bio-Mechanics,
gives opinion on what needs to be improved.

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 Analysis

Qualitative Analysis (observation suggestions)

 Position yourself to see the critical components of the
skill. Use multiple vantage (a place or position affording a
good view of something) points.
 Observe performance several times to identify consistent
performance problems.
 Use the whole-part-whole observation method.
 Be sure to focus both on the performer and the
implement.
 Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the movement.
 Use a performance checklist to guide your efforts.

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 Qualitative Analysis:
Conducting the Analysis

Identify Viewing Angle

Question/Problem
Viewing Distance
Performer Attire
Environmental
Refine Question Make Decisions
Modifications
End Analysis Use of Video

Communicate Collect Visual

with Performer Observations
Auditory
From Performer
Interpret Observations From Other Analysts
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 Quantitative Analysis

 A Quantitative analysis of an activity involves numeric

measurement of the performance, often with high-tech
instrumentation, such as high speed video-recording
systems and subsequent/successive/consequent motion
analysis performed via computerized video-digitizing and
data processing designed to mathematically model the
human body.

 The data in a quantitative analysis are used to evaluate

how an athlete performs a skill so movement patterns can
be determined.

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 Solving Formal Quantitative
Problems:

• Read the problem carefully.

• List the given information.
• Write down what quantity is to be
solved for.
• Draw a diagram of the problem
situation.

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 Solving Formal Quantitative
Problems:

• Select the appropriate formula to use.

• Review the problem statement to
determine if more information can be
inferred (indirect/secondary).
• Substitute the given information into
the formula.

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 Solving Formal Quantitative
Problems:

• The equation for the unknown

variable.
• Do a “common sense” check of the
answer.
• Box in your answer, including the
correct units of measurement.

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 Reasons for Studying Biomechanics

 Better understanding of the human body and the

various internal and external forces that affect
movement.
 Offers scientific knowledge that can improve
performance
 To improve sport techniques, equipment, and safety
 To design and conduct programs to enhance individual
movement skills (Adapted PE/modified/altered)

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 Why Study Bio-mechanics?
Reasons of studying Bio-mechanics are:

 Biomechanics provides conceptual and mathematical

tools that are necessary for understanding how living
things moves.

 It provides foundational understanding of mechanical

principles.

 And how these mechanical principles can be applied in

analyzing movements of the human body.

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 Importance of Bio-mechanics for
Coaches and Athletes
In the field of Sports, thorough knowledge of mechanical
principles is highly regarded as it:

 Helps the athletes to improve their performance in sports and

other physical activities.
 Reduces the risk of injury.
 Helps to understand the human body.
 Helps to know that how internal and external forces affect
movement.
 Helps to improve techniques and equipments.
 Helps to promote safety.
 Improve teaching and learning processes.
 Cater/provide the students with special needs.

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 Areas of Specialization
 Developmental biomechanics
 Studies movement patterns and how they change across the
lifespan and varying/changing disabilities.
 Biomechanics of exercise
 To maximize the benefits of exercise and reduce the chances of
injury.
 Rehabilitation mechanics
 Study of the movement patterns of people who are injured or
who have a disability.
 Equipment design
 Increases in performance through the change of equipment.

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 Major Areas of Study

 Biological aspects underlying human movement

 Mechanics
 Statics: Study of factors relating to nonmoving systems
or those characterized by steady motion.
 Dynamics: Study of mechanical factors that relate to
systems in motion
 Kinematics

 Kinetics

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 Instruments
 Computers  Anthropometry (the scientific study of
the measurements and proportions of the
 Simulation (Simulation is the human body)
imitation of the operation of a real-
world process or system over time)
 Timing devices
 Cinematography (the art of  Electro goniometry
(the science of measuring angles and the chan
photography and camerawork in film-
making)
ges in them. Much used in the study of gait)


 Electromyography (the recording of
Stroboscopy (A stroboscope also the electrical activity of muscle tissue, or its
known as a strobe, is an instrument representation as a visual display or audible
used to make a cyclically moving object signal, using electrodes attached to the skin or
appear to be slow-moving, or inserted into the muscle)
stationary)


 Dynamography(The measurement and
Videography (the process or art recording of forces and pressure)
of making video films)
 Telemetry (Telemetry is an automated
communications process by which
measurements and other data are collected at
remote or inaccessible points and transmitted
to receiving equipment for monitoring. The
word is derived from Greek roots: tele =
remote, and metron = measure)
 The Future
 Technology will continue to drive the advancement of
knowledge.
 Use of multidisciplinary teams will facilitate
integration/addition/combination of data from various
sources.
 Increased understanding of human movement will help
professionals design solutions to remediate (act or
process of remedying something that is undesirable or
deficient)problems for people of all ages and abilities.
 More research on women and the elderly?

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 References
 McGinnis, M.P. (1999). Biomechanics of sport and exercise. Champaign,
IL: Human Kinetics
 Massengale, J.D., Swanson, R.A. (1997). The history of Exercise and
Sport Science. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
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© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
 References
 www.amuseum.de/…/brillen/exh_98_99/galileo.jpg
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 References
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 Any Question

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