Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise

The aims for this module are set into the context of the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and they relate to the SEEC level descriptors for level 5 study.

This module aims to build on the use of movement analyses to aid sports or exercise performance or to reduce the likelihood of injury. A basic knowledge of mechanical principles will help the student understand the critical features of sports or exercise movements.

In relation to the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and the SEEC level descriptors for level 5 study, by the end of the module students should be able to:

1. Explain the basic biomechanical principles of motion in relation to the movement of the human body in sports and exercise contexts, and describe the process of movement analyses
2. Solve problems in the context of human motion using standard kinematic and kinetic relationships, explaining how Newton’s laws and their extensions relate to the motion of the human body
3. Describe projectile motion including the use of the equations of uniformly accelerated motion, and explain how human motion and the motion of sports and exercise equipment are affected by surrounding fluids.
4. Describe the process of collecting biomechanical data from human movement and interpret the data collected
5. Conduct a quantitative biomechanical movement analysis

• Review the basic principles of biomechanics and the process of movement analyses
• Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Kinetics – Force, Impulse, Moments, Inertia, Moment of Inertia
• Equations of Uniform Motion and Motion of Projectiles
• Work, Power, Energy
• Kinematic Analysis – Two dimension digitisation, interpretation of kinematic data
• Kinetic Analysis Techniques: Use of the force platform, interpretation of kinetic data
• Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
• Drag, Swing, Lift and Swerve of balls in flight
• Small group quantitative biomechanical movement analysis

Contact time:

• Lead lectures.
• Laboratory practicals
• Seminars

Non-contact time: 

• Directed study
• Tutorials with staff
• Preparation for written exam
• Data analysis for laboratory report
• Preparation for laboratory report

Bartlett, R. (2007). Introduction to Sports Biomechanics – Analysing Human Movement Patterns. London: Routledge.

Hall, S.J. (2007). Basic Biomechanics. Singapore, McGraw-Hill.

Hamill, J. and Knutzen, K.M. (2009). Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement. 3^rd edition. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 

Kreighbaum, E. and Barthels, K.M. (1996). Biomechanics: A Qualitative Approach for Studying Human Movement. 4th edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Lees, A. (2008) Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis of Technique.  In M. Hughes and I.M. Franks (ed). The Essentials of Performance Analysis – An Introduction. London: Routledge.

McGinnis, P.M. (2005). Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics.

Whiting, C. and Rugg, S. (2006). Dynatomy – Dynamic Human Anatomy, Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.