Fundamentals of Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the sport science field that applies the
laws of mechanics and physics to human performance,
(in order to gain a greater understanding of
performance in athletic events).
Biomechanics is the science of movement of a living body, including how muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement.
Biomechanics is part of the larger field of kinesiology, specifically focusing on the mechanics of the movement
Elements of Biomechanics
These are the key areas that biomechanics focuses on:
- Dynamics: Studying systems that are in motion with acceleration and deceleration
- Kinematics: Describing the effect of forces on a system, motion patterns including linear and angular changes in velocity over time as well as position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration are studied.
- Kinetics: Studying what causes motion, the forces, and moments at work
- Statics: Studying systems that are in equilibrium, either at rest or moving at a constant velocity
Sports Biomechanics
Sports biomechanics studies human motion during exercise and sports. Physics and the laws of mechanics are applied to athletic performance. Here are some various uses for biomechanics:
Equipment: Biomechanics can be used in the design of sports equipment, clothing, shoes, and the fields and facilities where sports are played. For example, a shoe can be designed for the best performance for a middle-distance runner or a racket for the best grip.
Individuals: Biomechanics can be applied to individuals, analyzing their movements and coaching them for more effective movement during exercise and sports movement. For example, an individual's running gait or golf swing can be filmed and recommendations made for them to change and improve it.
- Injuries: Biomechanics can be applied to studying the causes, treatment, and prevention of sports injuries. The research can analyze the forces at work that can lead to an ankle sprain and how shoe design or the playing surface might reduce the risk of injury
- Training: Biomechanics can study sports techniques and training systems and develop ways to make them more efficient. This can include basic research into how hand position affects propulsion in swimming. It can propose and analyze new training techniques based on the mechanical demands of the sport, aimed at resulting in better performance.
By Paul Rogers Updated on October 22, 2019 https://www.verywellfit.com/understanding-biomechanics-3498389