Download Biomechanics for Performance Improvement

Biomechanics for Performance Improvement
What is Biomechanics? Why study it?
McGinnis (2005) suggests that:
“Biomechanics is the study of forces and their effects on living systems” (p.3)
“The ultimate goal of exercise and sports biomechanics is performance improvement in exercise or sport’ (p.4)
“Coaches and teachers use biomechanics to determine what actions may improve performance” (p.4)
“An analysis of the technique deficiencies of an athlete can assist the coach or teacher in identifying the type of training the athlete
requires to improve.” (p.7)
“Some believe that injury prevention and rehabilitation should be the primary goal of exercise and sports biomechanics” (p. 9)
Margot Bowes
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Biomechanics (An Overview)
Key Purpose: Performance Improvement through:
 Technique Improvement
 Equipment Improvement
 Training Improvement
 Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
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External Biomechanics
Internal Biomechanics
External Forces and their effects on the body and its movement
Internal forces and their effects on the body and its movements
Forces: Maintaining equilibrium or changing motion
(forces, equilibrium, friction, force summation)
Linear Kinematics: Describing objects in linear motion
(motion , projectile motion)
Linear Kinetics: Explaining the causes of linear motion
(Newton’s Laws- inertia, conservation of momentum,
acceleration, action-reaction)
Work, Power and Energy: Explaining the causes of
motion without Newton (work, energy and power
Torques and Moments of Force: Maintaining equilibrium
or changing angular motion (torques, centre of gravity)
Angular Kinematics: Describing objects in Angular
Motion (angular position, angular displacement, angular
velocity, angular acceleration)
Angular Kinetics: Explaining the causes of Angular
Motion (Angular inertia, angular momentum, angular
interpretation of Newton’s Laws)
Fluid Mechanics: The effects of Water and Air
(buoyancy, drag, lift, air resistance)
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Skeletal System (the rigid framework of the body):
Bones: joints
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Muscular System (the force makers or motors of the
body) Skeletal muscle: muscle action: muscle
contraction force
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Nervous System (the control of the musculoskeletal
system) Nervous system, neutrons: Motor units:
Receptors and reflexes
Adapted from McGinnis (2005)
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What do you think is the difference between kinematics and kinetics?
Biomechanical Analysis to Improve Performance
Key Purpose: Analyse Performance
 Technique analysis
 Equipment analysis
 Training analysis
 Injury analysis
Qualitative Biomechanical
Analysis to Improve Technique
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Describe the most effective
technique
Observe the actual
performance
Evaluate the performance
compared to the ideal
Instruct via feedback the
differences between the
actual and ideal
performance
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Qualitative Biomechanical
Analysis to Improve Training
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Qualitative Biomechanical
Analysis to Understand
and reduce Injury
Divide the activity into
frames (temporal phases)
Identify the joints and
movements occurring in
each frame
Determine type of muscle
contraction and prime
movers at each joint
Identify where training could
improve range of motion
and application of forces
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Quantitative
Biomechanical Analysis
to Measure Performance
 Silicon Coach
 Game breaker
Use the scenarios of biomechanical analysis to improve technique and training and answer the following questions for
your group.
Why is Biomechanics important for Performance Improvement?
How can Biomechanics be used to improve performance?
What are your own experiences with Biomechanics that have improved your performance?
References:
McGinnis, P. (2005). Biomechanics of sport and exercise. (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
Margot Bowes
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